In Cobb We Trust

Dr. Parin Chheda and Miranda Crowder

Your trusted local progressive voice. Discussing hard truths about wealth inequity in Cobb County and beyond.

  1. Mar 30

    From Trailer Park to Lawyer to Running for US Congress

    Chris Harden sat down and from the start you could tell this was going to be an honest conversation. We talked about accountability early on, including impeachment and the kind of votes that actually define who someone is when the pressure is on. He’s very direct about it, and you can tell he takes that responsibility seriously. If you’re in power, you should be held accountable, no exceptions.What really comes through in this conversation is where he comes from and how that shaped him. He’s from Rossville, a small town, and he talks openly about how access to education changed the direction of his life. Now he’s a lawyer, but he’ll also tell you he can still drive a forklift, and that mix of lived experience and professional success shows up in how he sees the world.We spent a lot of time talking about what people are actually dealing with right now. Families trying to get by, kids going to bed hungry, and the reality that some people are making meals out of whatever they can find just to get through the week. The conversation around food insecurity and veterans stays grounded in this idea that people aren’t looking for handouts, they’re looking for a fair shot and the chance to stand on their own.There’s also a real sense of frustration that builds as we get into politics more broadly. We talk about division, leadership, and the feeling a lot of people have that those at the top are more focused on themselves than the people they’re supposed to represent. At times it really does feel disconnected from everyday life in a way that’s hard to ignore.We also get into where things could be headed, from taxing the ultra wealthy to the impact of key races that are coming up and what it would take to see real change that people can actually feel in their day to day lives.There are some lighter moments in here too, a few laughs and a couple of those moments where you just have to shake your head because you know exactly what’s being said without it needing to be spelled out.It’s honest, it’s grounded, and it goes a little deeper than what you usually hear.

    50 min
  2. Mar 20

    Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid on Growth, Housing, and Local Leadership

    What does it actually look like to lead a county like Cobb… and not lose sight of the people who need help the most? In this episode, Dr. Chheda sits down with Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid for a candid conversation about leadership, growth, and staying rooted in community. As Cobb continues to rank among the top counties to live in the U.S., Lisa talks about the responsibility that comes with that—and who those outcomes are really serving. A core theme of this conversation is simple: if you don’t intentionally focus on the people most in need, they will get left behind. Lisa shares how that principle shapes her approach to governing, from day-to-day decisions to long-term policy. They also discuss: ​The challenges and shortcomings of MSPLOST​Why grassroots-driven legislation leads to stronger, more effective policy​How staying connected to community voices impacts real outcomes​The balance between growth, infrastructure, and affordability in Cobb County Lisa also reflects on her personal path—from studying mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech to leading one of Georgia’s most dynamic counties—and how her faith continues to guide her through the pressures of public service. If you’re interested in how local leadership shapes everyday life in Cobb County—from housing to infrastructure to opportunity—this conversation offers a thoughtful, behind-the-scenes look. _____________ Keywords: Cobb County, Georgia politics, local government, Lisa Cupid, MSPLOST, public transit, housing affordability, leadership, community voices, grassroots policy, metro Atlanta

    1h 3m

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Your trusted local progressive voice. Discussing hard truths about wealth inequity in Cobb County and beyond.