The Politics Chicks Podcast

Christy Branham & Monica Healy
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The Politics Chicks is a progressive politics podcast and politics news show hosted by Christy Branham and Monica Healy. Every week, we sit down with candidates, elected officials, journalists, historians, policy experts, advocates, and everyday Americans shaping the future of our democracy. We go beyond the headlines with thoughtful interviews, fact-based analysis, and candid conversations about the issues that affect our lives—from elections and public policy to healthcare, education, civil rights, and the economy. Whether we’re interviewing members of Congress, first-time candidates, medical experts, or community leaders, our mission is the same: to inform, challenge, and inspire. If you’re looking for a politics podcast that values evidence over outrage, curiosity over division, and hope over cynicism, welcome home. New episodes every week. Follow us: Substack • Threads • Bluesky • Instagram • TikTok • Facebook @ThePoliticsChicks

  1. 2 days ago

    Trump’s Midterm Problem—and the Democrats’ Biggest Risk | David Schultz

    Could Democrats win back Congress—and what could still get in their way? Political scientist David Schultz joins Christy Branham and Monica Healy to discuss the 2026 midterms, Donald Trump’s political vulnerabilities, and why Democratic gains depend on more than dissatisfaction with the president. Schultz, Distinguished University Professor of Political Science and Legal Studies at Hamline University and an adjunct law professor at the University of St. Thomas, walks through his House and Senate scenarios and explains why Minnesota deserves particular attention. We discuss undecided voters, the limits of polling, turnout, affordability, and the Democrats’ messaging problem. Schultz also explains why he sees the decentralized election system as a safeguard against presidential interference—and why winning a congressional majority would still leave significant obstacles to governing. Plus: the Senate filibuster, outside money in state races, and the first question voters should ask when an attack ad appears: Who paid for it? Recorded October 21, 2026. Election scenarios and polling discussed reflect the conversation at that time. GUEST RESOURCES David Schultz — Hamline University faculty profilehttps://www.hamline.edu/faculty-staff/david-schultz David Schultz — University of St. Thomas School of Lawhttps://law.stthomas.edu/about/faculty-staff/directory/david-schultz/ FOLLOW THE POLITICS CHICKS YouTube | Substack | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | TikTok @ThePoliticsChicks

  2. 6 days ago

    Know Your Rights as a Voter: Don’t Let Fear Keep You Home | Daria Dawson

    America Votes’ executive director on making a voting plan, the power of local elections, and organizing beyond November. Your vote has consequences long after Election Day. So does staying home. With the 2026 midterms approaching, America Votes Executive Director Daria Dawson joins Christy Branham and Monica Healy for a conversation about what voters are telling organizers, how to make a voting plan, and why the work of democracy doesn’t end when the ballots are counted. Daria shares what she’s hearing about affordability, health care, reproductive rights, and threats to voting access. She explains why she sees people responding to intimidation by showing up, and why campaigns need to listen to voters instead of assuming they already know what matters to them. We get practical about checking your registration, confirming your polling location, researching your ballot, and understanding your options for early, mail, or Election Day voting. We also talk about the races that are easy to overlook: city councils, school boards, utility regulators, park commissioners, and judges. Those offices make decisions that reach directly into our daily lives. And yes, we ask about Kamala Harris and 2028. Daria says that decision belongs to Harris, then turns to what every potential candidate should be doing now: talking to voters, building relationships, and organizing well before the next presidential campaign. In this episode:- What organizers are hearing from voters in the final weeks before the midterms- Making a voting plan and checking the rules where you live- Why civic education and trusted messengers matter, especially for people who don’t usually vote- Researching local and nonpartisan races all the way down the ballot- What 2024 taught Daria about organizing beyond battleground states- Kamala Harris, the Democratic bench, and the work that needs to happen before 2028- Building trust across a coalition of more than 400 organizations- How elections shape the courts and the balance of power- What’s giving Daria hope, and why engagement has to continue after November This episode includes a voting message from Sounds of Blackness. Recorded October 20, 2026. Election Day is November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, ballot-return rules, early voting options, and time-off-to-vote protections vary by state. Check your state or local election office for the rules that apply to you. GUEST AND VOTER RESOURCESAmerica Votes: https://americavotes.org/about/Find your state or local election office: https://www.usa.gov/election-officeVoter registration information: https://vote.gov/Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/VJLO6K0W3Ec THE POLITICS CHICKSWe’re two Midwestern moms who have a lot to say about politics and take Minnesota Nice with a grain of salt. If something in this conversation moves you, challenges you, or makes you see things differently, please like, comment, and share. It helps more than you know. Substack: https://thepoliticschicks.substack.comThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thepoliticschicksFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepoliticschicksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepoliticschicks/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thepoliticschicks.bsky.socialTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.politics.chicks We’re stronger together.

  3. 19 Oct

    What Does Staying Silent Cost Us? Race, Privilege, and Speaking Up | Richard Chew

    Race, privilege, difficult conversations, and the political power we risk leaving unused. What do we risk when we speak up about racism, sexism, or a family member’s politics? And what do we allow to continue when we don’t? Richard Chew, host of Chew’s Views on WCPT 820 in Chicago, joins Christy Branham and Monica Healy for Episode 59 of The Politics Chicks. It’s a candid conversation about race, privilege, political responsibility, and the uncomfortable work of standing up for one another. Richard shares the family lessons that shaped him, his journey from financial planning to radio, and why he made it a goal to visit all 50 states. Then we get into the questions that are harder to ask: how privilege and proximity to power can influence white women’s votes, why Black voters shouldn’t be treated as a monolith, and what happens when the history we weren’t taught changes how we understand the present. Through stories about everyday bias, a neighbor’s difficult family conversation, and a lesson from his older sister that still brings him to tears, Richard explores what speaking up can look like in real life. Christy and Monica reflect on their own blind spots and the fear of damaging relationships by challenging people they love. We also discuss concerns about abuses of federal power, what Richard is hearing from listeners ahead of the 2026 midterms, and why he believes winning elections must be followed by sustained pressure on elected officials. The conversation returns to a question that reaches beyond Election Day: what are we willing to do with the power we already have? GUEST RESOURCESChew’s Views on WCPT / Heartland Signalhttps://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views/Richard Chew on Substackhttps://richardchew.substack.com/ WATCH THIS EPISODEhttps://youtu.be/4t0Wbx0QxmI FOLLOW THE POLITICS CHICKShttps://thepoliticschicks.substack.com/

  4. 5 Oct

    Party Over Country? How Trump's Republicans Have Lost Their Way | Jason Heaser

    Minnesota House District 34A candidate Jason Heaser joins The Politics Chicks to discuss public safety, school funding and protecting children from AI abuse. The Army veteran and prosecutor explains why he wants to bring an evidence-based approach to the legislature. What does accountability look like when the goal is a safer community? Jason talks about funding probation and rehabilitation, protecting due process, and addressing gaps he sees in laws covering online harm to children. Christy and Monica also ask about teacher health insurance, property taxes, credit-card swipe fees and the infrastructure demands of growing communities in Rogers, Dayton and Champlin. The conversation connects those everyday concerns with Jason’s experience in public service. We close with the Boundary Waters, his campaign’s conversations at the doors, and the people giving him hope—even when they disagree with him. Listen for his priorities and his view of what Minnesota can do when Washington won’t act. As always, if you find value in what we do, please RATE, REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE so we can grow the show, open the dialogue and inspire change moving forward. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear this conversation. Guest and Resources Jason Heaser campaign: https://www.heaserforhouse.com/Campaign platform: https://www.heaserforhouse.com/platformAbout Jason: https://www.heaserforhouse.com/about Watch the episode: https://youtu.be/lWwMzbgUzYAWatch the teaser: https://youtu.be/RF23tJvcmSo Minnesota voting information: https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/vote-early-in-person/ Follow The Politics Chicks Website: https://www.thepoliticschicks.com/Threads • Instagram • Bluesky • Facebook • Substack • TikTok@ThePoliticsChicks💙 xoxo — Christy & Monica Jason Heaser, Minnesota House District 34A, Minnesota politics, The Politics Chicks, Minnesota elections 2026, public safety, school funding, teacher health insurance, AI child safety, working families, property taxes, credit card swipe fees, Rogers Minnesota, Dayton Minnesota, Champlin Minnesota, Boundary Waters, Army veteran, prosecutor, Minnesota DFL

  5. 1 Oct

    Why Is the Mainstream Media Ignoring THE TRUTH About the Fraud Accusations in Minnesota? | DANE SMITH

    What happens when fraud estimates, improper payments, and proven theft get treated as the same thing? Minnesota’s fraud debate demands accountability—and a closer look at the evidence behind the headlines. In Episode 57 of The Politics Chicks, veteran Minnesota journalist Dane Smith joins Christy and guest co-host Renee, our investigative editor and Minnesota citizen researcher. Drawing on his decades covering government and politics for the Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press, Dane challenges the claim that Minnesota is uniquely bad at preventing fraud. We examine the widely repeated $9 billion figure, the missing context in state comparisons, and the legislative decisions that shaped oversight. The conversation also explores privatization, managed care organizations, shrinking newsrooms, and why Dane argues that accountability must extend across party lines. Fraud and failed oversight deserve scrutiny. So do the political claims built around them. GUEST RESOURCES Dane Smith’s Star Tribune commentary: Minnesota’s ranking on fraud is still unknownhttps://www.startribune.com/minnesotas-ranking-on-fraud-is-still-unknown/601324524 Dane Smith’s author page at Minnesota Reformerhttps://minnesotareformer.com/author/dane-smith/ FOLLOW THE POLITICS CHICKS YouTube | Substack | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | TikTok @ThePoliticsChicks

  6. 28 Sept

    Feeling Powerless? Activate America Says There’s Something You Can Do

    You’re watching the news. You’re worried about what’s happening. You want to do something—but what can one person actually do? Activate America Executive Director Nathaniel Markowitz and founder Doug Linney join Christy and Monica to talk about grassroots organizing, voter outreach, and how their organization connects volunteers around the country with competitive congressional races—even when those volunteers live hundreds or thousands of miles away.   Doug and Nathaniel take us through the organization’s evolution from Flip the 14, which began after the 2017 Women’s March and initially focused on Republican-held congressional districts in California, to Flip the West and eventually Activate America. They explain how the organization expanded beyond California and built a national network focused on House and Senate races.   We dig into how Activate America decides where to put its resources, how quickly competitive races can change, and how data and race ratings help guide those decisions. Nathaniel also explains why the organization sometimes moves before conventional race ratings catch up—and why its strategy can change as the political map changes.   Then we get practical: Do handwritten postcards actually make a difference? What about phone banking? What if knocking on doors isn’t possible for you? And if you have exactly one hour to give, where should you start? Doug’s answer on postcards is pretty unequivocal: “Hell yeah, they do make a difference.” His larger point is that organizing is a collective effort—and volunteers should find the kind of participation that works for them.   Nathaniel and Doug also explain how remote organizing allows people living in safely red or safely blue districts to participate in races elsewhere. And for anyone wondering where to begin, Doug suggests starting with an hour of phone banking, while Nathaniel directs listeners to ActivateAmerica.vote to find the organization’s current programs.   GUEST RESOURCESActivate Americahttps://www.activateamerica.vote/ Activate America — Ways to Get Involvedhttps://www.activateamerica.vote/what-we-do Activate America — Postcardinghttps://www.activateamerica.vote/postcards Activate America — Current Raceshttps://www.activateamerica.vote/our-races Cook Political Reporthttps://www.cookpolitical.com/ FOLLOW THE POLITICS CHICKS YouTube | Substack | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | TikTok @ThePoliticsChicks Feeling Powerless? Activate America Says There’s Something You Can Do, Activate America, Nathaniel Markowitz, Doug Linney, grassroots organizing, 2026 midterms, 2026 election, voter outreach, voter turnout, political postcards, postcarding, phone banking, Democratic organizing, House elections, Senate elections, Congress 2026, get out the vote, GOTV, political volunteering, election volunteering, voter mobilization, The Politics Chicks, progressive political podcast

  7. 23 Sept

    Former Congressman Joe Cunningham on What Would It Take to Lower Prescription Drug Costs?

    What would it take to turn promises of lower prescription drug costs into a smaller bill at the pharmacy? Former South Carolina Congressman Joe Cunningham joins Christy and Monica to discuss Big Pharma, healthcare affordability, and the fight over who benefits from drug pricing reform. Now a spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance, Joe explains the case for most-favored-nation pricing—tying U.S. drug prices to prices in comparable countries—and why he wants Congress to put reform into law. We explore the Global Fairness in Drug Pricing Act, the Alliance’s bipartisan polling, and proposals linking pharmaceutical advertising spending to drug rebates. Christy and Monica press on the details: Would savings reach patients or stay with insurers and middlemen? Could manufacturers respond by raising prices elsewhere? Who funds the Alliance, and what stands between public support and congressional action? The conversation also covers pharmaceutical campaign contributions, the challenges of navigating Medicare, Joe’s outlook on the midterms, and why contacting your representatives can matter. GUEST RESOURCES Pharmaceutical Reform Alliancehttps://pharmareformalliance.com Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance — 2026 National Pollhttps://pharmareformalliance.com/national-poll-2026 Global Fairness in Drug Pricing Act — Official Announcementhttps://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-reps-khanna-luna-kaptur-and-biggs-introduce-bill-codify-trumps FOLLOW THE POLITICS CHICKS YouTube | Substack | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | TikTok @ThePoliticsChicks

  8. 21 Sept

    Doug Chapin Takes On Tom Emmer: Who Shows Up for Minnesota’s 6th?

    What does it mean for a member of Congress to show up for the people they represent? In Episode 54, Doug Chapin makes his case for replacing Tom Emmer in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District and explains what he is hearing from voters across the district. Chapin, the DFL nominee and an election administration expert, joins Monica and Christy to discuss his campaign’s growth, his exchange over Emmer’s absence from a Farmfest candidate forum, and the costs families and farmers are facing. They also talk about mail ballots, health care, child care, ICE accountability, and why Chapin believes Congress must assert its authority over spending and war, even when the president belongs to his own party. “People deserve a member of Congress who shows up,” Chapin says. Hear what that promise means in this race—and stay for his unexpected Minnesota State Fair talent. GUEST RESOURCES Doug Chapin for Congresshttps://www.chapinforcongress.com/ Doug Chapin for Congress social linkshttps://linktr.ee/chapinforcongress FOLLOW THE POLITICS CHICKS YouTube | Substack | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | TikTok @ThePoliticsChicks

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About

The Politics Chicks is a progressive politics podcast and politics news show hosted by Christy Branham and Monica Healy. Every week, we sit down with candidates, elected officials, journalists, historians, policy experts, advocates, and everyday Americans shaping the future of our democracy. We go beyond the headlines with thoughtful interviews, fact-based analysis, and candid conversations about the issues that affect our lives—from elections and public policy to healthcare, education, civil rights, and the economy. Whether we’re interviewing members of Congress, first-time candidates, medical experts, or community leaders, our mission is the same: to inform, challenge, and inspire. If you’re looking for a politics podcast that values evidence over outrage, curiosity over division, and hope over cynicism, welcome home. New episodes every week. Follow us: Substack • Threads • Bluesky • Instagram • TikTok • Facebook @ThePoliticsChicks

Information

  • Creator
    Christy Branham & Monica Healy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Politic Chicks
  • Show Website
    The Politics Chicks Podcast

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