Cactus Crossfire

Sisto Abeyta & Eddie Ableser
  • 5.0 (2)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Spicy takes, prickly debates and sharp Southwest flavor—Cactus Crossfire dives into politics, culture, and the issues shaping our region and beyond. Whether you agree, disagree, or want to add your own perspective, we want to hear from you. Join the conversation & let's get prickly! Shoot us an email (info@cactuscrossfire.com), or visit www.cactuscrossfire.com to stay in the loop on future episodes. Catch more insights on our blog: https://www.cactuscrossfire.com/blog Sign up for exclusive updates: https://www.cactuscrossfire.com/contact-8 Follow us: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CactusCrossfire TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cactuscrossfire Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cactuscrossfire/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cactuscrossfire Hosts: Sisto Abeyta, Tri-Strategies | NM Eddie Ableser, Tri-Strategies | UT, NV & AZ www.tri-strategies.com Producer: Mandi Nunez, Tri-Strategies | NM www.tri-strategies.com Auto Engineer & Editor: Gabe Narcisco Baca, eightySIX88 Studios | Albuquerque, NM www.8688.productions

  1. Boots, Brims, and Bregman: ICE, Crime, and New Mexico’s Governor Race🌵❌🔥

    MAR 9

    Boots, Brims, and Bregman: ICE, Crime, and New Mexico’s Governor Race🌵❌🔥

    In this Cactus Crossfire episode, host Sisto Abeyta sits down with Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, a candidate for Governor of New Mexico, for a candid conversation about civil rights, public safety, healthcare, education, housing, and what state leadership looks like when chaos out of Washington hits home. They open with personal history and political roots, including the influence of Sam’s father and the lessons that shaped Sam’s approach to public service. The tone stays real and familiar, with stories from campaigns, the racetrack, and Sisto’s own experience navigating bias in New Mexico politics. A major focus is immigration enforcement and constitutional policing. Sam argues that no one is above the rule of law, including federal agents, and criticizes stops and detentions without reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or warrants. He frames this as both a civil rights issue and a public safety issue, warning that fear based tactics can keep victims and witnesses from coming forward, making it harder to prosecute violent crime. From there, the conversation moves into crime and law enforcement coordination. Sam emphasizes that violent offenders will be prosecuted regardless of immigration status, while also describing cooperation with federal partners on operations targeting people with violent felony warrants. Healthcare is a central policy section. Sam highlights New Mexico’s reliance on Medicaid and pushes back on federal threats to cut funding. He calls for urgency in strengthening the state’s healthcare system by removing gross receipts tax on medical services, expanding licensing compacts to support telehealth, and creating stronger incentives to recruit and retain doctors and nurses, including medical school debt relief for providers who stay and practice in New Mexico. Education is discussed through accountability and chronic absenteeism. Sam argues for clear goals, frequent progress reporting, early literacy intervention, and treating absenteeism as a statewide crisis that undermines every other reform. On housing, Sam argues homeownership remains a key pathway to the middle class and proposes state supported down payment assistance structured as an interest free second mortgage repaid when the home is sold. Asked about first 100 days priorities, Sam lists law enforcement coordination, staffing and recruiting, behavioral health system coordination with real time bed availability, education urgency, and healthcare workforce growth. The most pointed governance section centers on CYFD, which Sam says he would overhaul first due to chronic understaffing and burnout that put vulnerable kids at risk. The episode closes with lighter moments and personality, including cowboy hat talk, media jokes, and baseball, while keeping the focus on accountability and delivering real results for New Mexicans. Join the conversation: www.cactuscrossfire.com

    59 min
  2. Schools, Safety, & City Hall: Councilwoman Berdetta Hodge on Leading Tempe🌵❌🔥

    MAR 7

    Schools, Safety, & City Hall: Councilwoman Berdetta Hodge on Leading Tempe🌵❌🔥

    Tempe is one of those cities that forces you to get creative. You cannot just sprawl outward forever. You are landlocked, sitting in the middle of everything, and if you want to grow, you have to grow smarter. That is why this episode matters. We sat down with Councilwoman Berdetta Hodge from Tempe, Arizona, to talk about what it looks like when someone leads from both sides of the pipeline: the school board and the city council. Her foundation is education. She started on the Tempe Union High School District governing board and later ran for city council because she saw something most people miss. Schools do not operate in a vacuum. Cities shape what schools can do, what students can access, and what pathways exist after graduation. Tempe Drive: a real K through career pathway One of the biggest initiatives she shared is Tempe Drive, a collaboration between multiple school districts, Arizona State University, and the City of Tempe. The goal is simple but ambitious: make the transition from elementary to high school to college or workforce smoother and more intentional. If you want young people to stay in Tempe, build in Tempe, and lead in Tempe, you cannot just talk about opportunity. You have to design it. Safety is not just physical Berdetta also walked us through why Tempe became the second city in the country to adopt Sandy Hook Promise at the city level. The point is not just physical security. It is emotional safety, prevention, and making sure schools have the resources to be proactive instead of reactive. And when youth violence headlines hit close to home, she did not wait for someone else to act. She pushed a brass knuckles ordinance to outlaw them in Tempe after seeing how real the damage can be. Google Fiber and the future of learning We also got into something that sounds like a tech issue but is really an equity issue: internet infrastructure. Berdetta shared that Tempe is in the final stages of bringing Google Fiber to the city, with benefits for businesses, neighborhoods, and schools. When classrooms run on laptops and platforms, connectivity becomes part of the learning environment. If the internet fails, learning fails. Homelessness and the hard work of trust On homelessness, Berdetta’s approach is not about criminalizing people. It is about building trust and connecting people to services. Tempe’s park rangers, paired with CARE 7 and the HOPE team, are designed to de escalate and engage, not just push people from one corner to another. She also said the quiet part out loud: you can care deeply and still need rules that protect children walking through parks to school and protect unsheltered people from being victimized. Leadership that refuses the easy labels As an African American woman and a mother of African American sons, Berdetta addressed the expectation that she should be anti police. She rejects that binary. Her focus is safety and trust, and she highlighted programs that bring officers into schools to mentor and build relationships. This is what real local leadership looks like. Not slogans. Not purity tests. Actual systems, actual partnerships, and actual accountability. If you care about how cities can do better on schools, safety, infrastructure, and homelessness, this is the conversation. Have a take? Send it in. Do you disagree with us? Great. Tell us why. That's the whole point. 🌵❌🔥 👇 Watch, listen and join the discussion: YouTube: https://youtu.be/snJw2UNiY_c Website: https://www.cactuscrossfire.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cactuscrossfire Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cactuscrossfire/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cactuscrossfire Hosts: Sisto Abeyta on Instagram: @sistoaabeyta Sisto Abeyta on TikTok: @sisto.abeyta Eddie on Instagram: @ezableser Eddie on TikTok: @eddie.ableser Reach us on socials or email info@cactuscrossfire.com.

    36 min
  3. WHO ARE WE? Outsiders in Our Own Party🌵❌🔥

    FEB 16

    WHO ARE WE? Outsiders in Our Own Party🌵❌🔥

    Cactus Crossfire is back for a new season, and Sisto and Eddie open with the usual mix of warmth and chaos: studio banter, bad internet, and a Valentine’s Day detour that turns into a surprisingly relatable debate about those giant Hershey’s Kisses and how they always end up half stale but still somehow get eaten. From there, they set expectations for Season 2. The big shift is more interviews, more listener feedback from the Prickly Pack, and more focus on stories they believe mainstream media is missing. They preview upcoming guests and conversations, including Tempe city councilmember Bredetta Hodge, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman (also described as a gubernatorial candidate), and Reno councilwoman Brandy Anderson. They also rattle off the broader list of topics they plan to hit this season: ICE shootings, the Epstein files, a government shutdown, a Texas special election, a winter storm, detention and release issues tied to ICE, the Grammys, and Super Bowl fallout. The heart of the episode is a who are these guys conversation: how they each found their way into Democratic politics, and why both of them still feel like outsiders inside the party. Eddie’s story centers on Arizona and Tempe. He describes being politically activated by the Pat Tillman narrative and the anger many people felt when the public story shifted to friendly fire and the way leaders used Tillman’s death to support a broader war narrative. He explains that he wasn’t driven by ideological purity so much as a desire to make change, and that running as an independent wasn’t realistic, so he joined the Democratic Party to run for office. He says his first experience walking into party headquarters was a blunt purity test: are you pro choice. Eddie answers yes, but emphasizes that the issue is nuanced in real life and in legislative voting. He then describes additional pushback he faced for being religious and for volunteering with churches, saying some party voices treated faith as incompatible with being a Democrat. He also recounts sponsoring Equal Rights Amendment related legislation and then being criticized that a woman should have run it, even though no one else had stepped up. Sisto’s story is rooted in rural New Mexico and a family tradition of practical politics. He describes his father as a trusted community voice, less focused on national litmus tests and more focused on local delivery: roads, public safety presence, substations, and support for volunteer fire departments. When Sisto tried to step into party leadership, he says he ran into insider gatekeeping and what he describes as possible hanky panky around a county party vote, which pushed his father toward distrust of party leadership. Sisto describes learning to blend political worlds: the rural, working class, door knocking culture he grew up with and the insider structures of party politics. He recounts being told to learn how the party works and being criticized for not having the right pedigree. His response was to build a coalition outside the room and bring people in, which helped him win Young Democrats leadership by a wide margin. He also reflects on how labels shift depending on the audience: for years he was treated as one of the more moderate Democrats in New Mexico politics, but in the podcast format he’s now often perceived as the more progressive voice. Both hosts connect these origin stories to what they’re trying to do with the show: debate issues directly, keep friendships intact, and resist the constant purity tests and trolling that dominate social media. The conversation then pivots into a broader critique of the current political climate, using immigration protests as the example. Eddie argues that rational dialogue is getting muted and that protest culture has become more aggressive, including incidents of people spitting on law enforcement and using racial slurs. They compare today’s environment to protest movements in the 1960s and 1970s, inc

    1 hr
  4. Minnesota's Mess, Iran's Uprising, Venezuela's Oil & NYC's Communist Manifesto🌵❌🔥

    FEB 2

    Minnesota's Mess, Iran's Uprising, Venezuela's Oil & NYC's Communist Manifesto🌵❌🔥

    🌵❌🔥 CACTUS CROSSFIRE SEASON 2: LET'S GET PRICKLY 🌵❌🔥 Minnesota's daycare centers are a mess. Iran's uprising is being ignored. Venezuela's oil is about to flood the market. And NYC's mayor quoted the Communist Manifesto. This is Cactus Crossfire Season 2. We're back. And this season, we're doubling down on what makes us different. Civil discourse without demonization. Debate without tribalism. Listening to people who disagree with you. And we're doing it with the understanding that good governance requires people who can disagree—sharply—and still find common ground. This season, we're inviting politicians, policymakers, and community leaders to join the conversation. We're featuring listener questions. We're tackling the stories mainstream media is missing or ignoring. We are getting prickly. Have a take? Send it in. Do you disagree with us? Great. Tell us why. That's the whole point. 🌵❌🔥 Subscribe now on all platforms: Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Spotify | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook www.cactuscrossfire.com

    1h 7m
  5. Cactus Crossfire’s Top 10 of 2025: Speaker Javier Martinez Joins the Hot Seat 🌵❌🔥

    JAN 18

    Cactus Crossfire’s Top 10 of 2025: Speaker Javier Martinez Joins the Hot Seat 🌵❌🔥

    🌵❌🔥In this special year-end review, we’re joined by New Mexico Speaker Javier Martinez for a no-holds-barred countdown of Cactus Crossfire’s "Top 10 Moments of 2025." This episode dives deep into the biggest political debates, community stories, and legislative hot takes that shaped the year. What’s inside: The Hispanic Vote: Hard truths and shifting trends in New Mexico and nationwide—why are voting patterns changing, and what does it mean for 2026? Democratic Party Debates: From “Weak and Woke” to coalition-building, we get real about party divisions, accountability, and what it’ll take to win moving forward. Government Shutdowns & SNAP: Firsthand stories on how policy battles play out in real lives—including Speaker Martinez’s behind-the-scenes look at protecting New Mexico’s most vulnerable. The Economy, Stupid: Why pocketbook issues still decide elections, and how Main Street can win over Wall Street. Personal Stories: Both Sisto and Speaker Martinez reflect on the loss of their fathers this year, sharing powerful lessons about leadership, service, and community. Special guest: Speaker Javier Martinez brings unfiltered insights, hard-earned wisdom, and a few laughs—plus, he’s been with us since Episode 1 (and yes, he’s one of our OG YouTube subscribers). Why tune in? This episode is packed with real talk, regional impact, and the kind of honest, cross-partisan debate that makes Cactus Crossfire the “new hot show in town.” Whether you’re here for the spicy takes, the policy deep-dives, or just to see if Sisto’s scarf makes another cameo, this one’s for you. Don’t miss: Hot debates on healthcare, housing, and the future of the Democratic Party Stories of resilience and public service that hit close to home A look ahead at what’s coming for Cactus Crossfire in 2026 “You can stick it to the man all you want with your tweets, but I just want people to eat.” — Speaker Javier Martinez 👇 Watch, listen, and join the debate: YouTube: https://youtu.be/EhPDyMTVe1A Blog: https://www.cactuscrossfire.com/blog Sign up for exclusive updates: https://www.cactuscrossfire.com/contact-8 Website: https://www.cactuscrossfire.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cactuscrossfire Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cactuscrossfire/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cactuscrossfire YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CactusCrossfire #CactusCrossfire #SpeakerMartinez #Top10of2025 #SouthwestPolitics #GovernmentThatWorks #DignityForAll #HousingJustice 🌵❌🔥

    39 min
  6. End-of-Year Hot Takes, Legislative Insights & Our First In-Studio Guest: NM Speaker Javier Martinez🎙️

    JAN 1

    End-of-Year Hot Takes, Legislative Insights & Our First In-Studio Guest: NM Speaker Javier Martinez🎙️

    It’s the end-of-year wrap-up on Cactus Crossfire! Hosts Sisto and Eddie kick things off in holiday style, celebrating the show’s debut on Apple Podcasts and reflecting on the best moments of 2025. But the real highlight? Their first-ever in-studio guest: New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martinez. Tune in as Speaker Martinez dives into the power of state legislatures, the push for universal child care, and what it really takes to deliver for working families. The conversation gets real about Latino voter narratives, the challenge of uniting diverse voices in politics, and the importance of bold leadership—plus some behind-the-scenes stories from the legislative trenches. The episode wraps with the crew’s signature “tri-takes” for the holiday season, including a spicy debate on what counts as a true Christmas movie (Die Hard or Fat Man?). Whether you’re here for the politics, the laughs, or the holiday movie tips, this episode’s got you covered. References/Resources from Episode 11: Emerson Poll: https://x.com/PollTracker2024/status/2001632331828990454 & https://x.com/PollTracker2024/status/2001633663725809934 Speaker Javier Martinez: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.nmlegis.gov/members/Legislator%3FSponCode%3DHMARJ&ved=2ahUKEwjYlv_Ql-uRAxWdJTQIHcFpLqwQFnoECB4QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1DgGIT9Taju80F4ea7MAqY & https://www.javiermartinezfornewmexico.com/aboutjavier ▶️ Listen now for hot takes, honest debates, and a look ahead at what’s coming for New Mexico in 2026! #CactusCrossfire #Legislature #LatinoVote #UniversalChildCare #HolidaySpecial #HotTakes #Podcast Comment, email, or visit cactuscrossfire.com to join the debate and stay updated on future episodes. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/229GFF3JbpU Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcast: Follow us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CactusCrossfire Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cactuscrossfire Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cactuscrossfire/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cactuscrossfire ▶️ Listen now for hot takes, honest debates, and a look ahead at what’s coming for New Mexico in 2026! #CactusCrossfire #Legislature #LatinoVote #UniversalChildCare #HolidaySpecial #HotTakes #Podcast

    1h 1m
  7. Hot Takes in Cold States: Western Politics, Open Primaries, and the Art of Compromise

    12/14/2025

    Hot Takes in Cold States: Western Politics, Open Primaries, and the Art of Compromise

    Episode 10 opens with the Eddie broadcasting from a snowy Nevada, setting the stage for a conversation that’s as dynamic as the political climate itself. The episode wastes no time jumping into the aftermath of municipal elections and the early rumblings of gubernatorial races in New Mexico, Nevada, and Arizona. With both parties strategizing for the upcoming cycle, the hosts break down who’s running, who’s declaring, and what’s at stake. A central theme this week: the so-called "Trump slump." The team debates whether Trump’s presence will help or hinder Republican candidates in the West, especially as economic anxieties run high. They point out that while the Fed’s rate cut might ease things eventually, most Western families are still feeling the pinch. The conversation turns to how economic conditions, government shutdowns, and national issues like immigration are shaping voter sentiment—especially as the holiday season brings its own challenges. New Mexico’s upcoming open primaries get a deep dive, with the hosts exploring how independent voters—now nearly 30% of the state’s electorate—could reshape local and state races. They discuss the risks and rewards for candidates courting independents, and whether these voters will actually turn out when it matters most. The crew notes that out West, political identity is often more fluid, and campaigns may need to roll the dice on new strategies to succeed. National headlines aren’t ignored: the resignation of Marjorie Taylor Greene, the ongoing drama around the Epstein files, and the spectacle of party infighting all get the Cactus Crossfire treatment. The team calls out hypocrisy and shifting alliances, poking fun at the theater of modern politics while highlighting the very real consequences for policy and governance. Throughout the episode, the importance of compromise and practical solutions is a recurring message. The hosts argue that the West’s unique challenges—resource management, water scarcity, crime, and healthcare—require a different approach than the typical East Coast political playbook. They highlight recent legislative battles, like Nevada’s failed film tax bill, as examples of bipartisan action and the need for deals that actually benefit communities. In their signature closing segment, each host shares a spicy take (media obsession with drug boats off Venezuela), something prickly (the ongoing struggle to improve healthcare and senior care), and something quickly (recognizing top lobbyists who make a difference). The episode closes with a reminder to subscribe, engage, and keep the conversation real—because in the West, politics is always a little different. REFERENCES: Democrats bet on a ‘Trump slump’ to take back Nevada (Politico): https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/29/nevada-governor-race-trump-lombardo-economy-democrats-00669795 Trump gloats over 'traitor' MTG (AOL): https://www.aol.com/news/trump-gloats-over-traitor-mtg-153619344.html MTG resigns from Congress (CNBC): https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/22/trump-marjorie-taylor-greene-mtg-resigns.html BBC coverage: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4qx1lenvjo Independent coverage: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-resign-congress-trump-b2870288.html Comment, email, or visit www.cactuscrossfire.com to join the debate and stay updated on future episodes. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/U1RpBdKBZzU Follow our blog: https://www.cactuscrossfire.com/blog and check out our latest post: https://www.cactuscrossfire.com/post/new-episode-cactus-crossfire-episode-10-hot-takes-in-cold-states Sign-up for exclusive updates: https://www.cactuscrossfire.com/contact-8 Follow us: www.youtube.com/@CactusCrossfire https://www.tiktok.com/@cactuscossfire https://www.instagram.com/cactuscrossfire/ https://www.facebook.com/cactuscrossfire

    58 min
  8. Shutdowns, SNAP, and the Swing State Shuffle: A Big Tent Breakdown

    12/01/2025

    Shutdowns, SNAP, and the Swing State Shuffle: A Big Tent Breakdown

    Eddie and Sisto are back, broadcasting from Utah and New Mexico, diving deep into the latest political shakeups across the Southwest and the nation. The episode opens with on-the-ground updates from Nevada’s special session and reflections on the cold realities of winter politics. Key Topics: 43-Day Government Shutdown: Who’s to blame? The hosts break down the political maneuvering, from Senate filibusters to negotiation tactics over the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and continuing resolutions (CR). They explore the real-world impact on federal workers, families facing food insecurity, and the scramble to restore SNAP benefits. State Responses & SNAP Funding: New Mexico’s special session to fill federal SNAP gaps, appropriating nearly half a billion dollars with no guarantee of reimbursement. Plus, legal battles as Attorney General Torres joins other states to sue the federal government for SNAP funds held by the USDA. Elections & Shifting Coalitions: Municipal elections across the U.S. reveal new trends: Hispanic and younger voters show up, coalition-building candidates outperform, and the “Democrat wave” narrative is challenged. Case studies include Virginia’s moderate Democrats, New York City’s fractured vote, Albuquerque and Santa Fe’s coalition politics, and the optics of progressive infighting. Economic Anxiety & Policy Debates: The shutdown’s economic ripple effects—lost state revenue, household budgeting struggles, and skepticism over promises like affordable housing. The panel questions the reality of “taxing the rich” slogans and demands real answers on funding social programs. Healthcare Rethink: A deep dive into the ACA’s shortcomings, the insurance market, and the struggle to define what basic healthcare should be. Preventative care, fraud, and the ongoing debate over the true cost of American healthcare. Spicy, Prickly, and Quickly Takes: From tamale season in New Mexico to predictions on Arizona’s governor race and union gatekeeping in healthcare, the hosts close out with their signature rapid-fire opinions. Throughout, Eddie and Sisto keep it candid—calling out both parties, challenging political theater, and urging listeners to ask tough questions about power, policy, and who really benefits. Tune in for sharp analysis, local stories, and a big tent conversation you won’t hear anywhere else. Listen, debate, and join the conversation at cactuscrossfire.com. Agree, disagree, or want to add your voice? The Cactus Crossfire team wants to hear from you. Comment, email, or visit cactuscrossfire.com to join the debate and stay updated on future episodes. (LINKS IN BIO) References and resources from Episode 9: https://www.cactuscrossfire.com/post/shutdowns-snap-and-the-economy-divide-who-pays-the-price Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/sdYsRfAZ5Ls Follow us: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CactusCrossfire TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cactuscrossfire Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cactuscrossfire/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cactuscrossfire

    1h 5m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Spicy takes, prickly debates and sharp Southwest flavor—Cactus Crossfire dives into politics, culture, and the issues shaping our region and beyond. Whether you agree, disagree, or want to add your own perspective, we want to hear from you. Join the conversation & let's get prickly! Shoot us an email (info@cactuscrossfire.com), or visit www.cactuscrossfire.com to stay in the loop on future episodes. Catch more insights on our blog: https://www.cactuscrossfire.com/blog Sign up for exclusive updates: https://www.cactuscrossfire.com/contact-8 Follow us: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CactusCrossfire TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cactuscrossfire Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cactuscrossfire/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cactuscrossfire Hosts: Sisto Abeyta, Tri-Strategies | NM Eddie Ableser, Tri-Strategies | UT, NV & AZ www.tri-strategies.com Producer: Mandi Nunez, Tri-Strategies | NM www.tri-strategies.com Auto Engineer & Editor: Gabe Narcisco Baca, eightySIX88 Studios | Albuquerque, NM www.8688.productions

Information

  • Creator
    Sisto Abeyta & Eddie Ableser
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Cactus Crossfire