The Montpelier Happy Hour

Olga Peters
  • 5.0 (5)
  • News
  • Updated Weekly

This award-winning show, The Montpelier Happy Hour usually starts with a question and ends with a toast. Each week's conversation explores the stories, beliefs, and assumptions behind the policies that shape our lives. Host, Journalist Olga Peters and Regular contributor State Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, share their unique perspectives on Vermont, their communities, and government. Bring your curiosity, your inner geek, and your favorite beverage. Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker.

  1. 6h ago

    Aly Richards on empathy, defining affordability, and the devil you know

    July 24, 2026: Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Aly Richards stops by The Montpelier Happy Hour. We discuss core values, what it means to be program rich and systems poor, activating leadership, and making Vermont more affordable. A reminder to voters: Vermont's primary is August 11. The state holds open primaries so you don't need to register with a party to vote. To learn more about Aly Richards: https://alyforvt.com/ Here is a recent debate between Richards and fellow gubernatorial candidate Amanda Janoo: https://www.vermontpublic.org/show/vermont-edition/2026-07-23/vermont-2026-democratic-primary-debate-governor Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://rhtt.net/

  2. Jul 17

    REBROADCAST: Our Political Ancestor: Governor Deane Davis

    December 27, 2024: In our final episode of 2024, Amanda Kay Gustin, Director of Collections & Access at the Vermont Historical Society, shares her thoughts on Vermont's 74th governor. Davis is known for enacting the state's sales tax and land use law, Act 250. In this conversation, we use Davis' farewell address as a touchstone. Read Davis' 1973 farewell address here: https://sos.vermont.gov/media/guclccwd/davis1973.pdf Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://rhtt.net

  3. Jul 10

    A deep dive into the Vermont Primary, campaign money, and polling with John Walters

    July 10, 2026 (prerecorded 7/9): With the Vermont Primary only weeks away, John Walters of The Vermont Political Observer shares his takeaways from candidates' recent campaign filings. We also discuss recent poll results from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. Check out John's work at https://thevpo.org/ Read the University of New Hampshire Survey Center's Green Mountain State Poll: https://scholars.unh.edu/survey_center_polls/970/ Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://rhtt.net/

  4. Jul 4

    America at 250 and Celebrating the Ongoing Experiment with John Hagen

    July 3, 2026 (prerecorded 7/2): John Hagen, retired Air Force Officer and chapter head of Indivisible Porto, shares his insights on America's 250th anniversary. In this episode, we discuss civic identity, Sen. Margaret Chase Smith's Declaration of Conscience, and the role of "othering" in US politics. Read the Declaration of Conscience here: https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/SmithDeclaration.pdf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://rhtt.net/

  5. Jun 26

    Regional Collaboration - a Practice of Building Trust with Abby Long

    June 26, 2026 (prerecorded 6/23): Regional Collaboration. The state talks about it. Many Vermont communities could benefit from it. But what does it take to build successful cooperation? Abby Long, executive director of the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative, shares her experience building coalitions across the NEK's three counties. Long previously served as the executive director of Kingdom Trails, overseeing more than 100 miles of biking trails and working with 106 private landowners. The Northeast Kingdom Collaborative: https://www.nekcollaborative.org/ Kingdom Trails: https://www.kingdomtrails.org/ Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://rhtt.net/

  6. Jun 19

    News Roundup with Randolph T. Holhut: Candidate forums, local journalism, Brattleboro's new train station

    June 19, 2026: Randolph T. Holhut of The Commons joins this week's conversation to update listeners on what's happening in Windham County. Read The Commons here: https://www.commonsnews.org/ Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://rhtt.net

  7. Jun 5

    A new regional policing pilot with Sheriff Mark Anderson

    June 5, 2026: Windham County Sheriff Mark Anderson outlines a multi-year pilot to establish a regional policing governance program in Windham County. The legislation enabling this pilot is S.255, which sets up the Windham County Law Enforcement Governance Council. The council will be made up of representatives from participating municipalities without police departments. Read S.255 / Act 104 here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/S.255 Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://rhtt.net

  8. May 29

    News Roundup with John Walters: End of the Legislative Session, H.955, and Campaign Season

    May 29, 2026 (prerecorded 5/28): Journalist John Walters updates us on the issues he's watching as the Legislature plans to wrap up for the year. There are a number of bills still moving through conference committees; specifically, we're watching the education reform bill H.955. John will also touch base on campaign season. Read John's work at https://thevpo.org/ Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://rhtt.net

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

This award-winning show, The Montpelier Happy Hour usually starts with a question and ends with a toast. Each week's conversation explores the stories, beliefs, and assumptions behind the policies that shape our lives. Host, Journalist Olga Peters and Regular contributor State Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, share their unique perspectives on Vermont, their communities, and government. Bring your curiosity, your inner geek, and your favorite beverage. Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker.

Information

  • Creator
    Olga Peters
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Montpelier Happy Hour