Jess Piper, Bryce Oates, and Isaac Nehring join this episode to discuss the future of rural America, from youth leadership to media access and political advocacy. Isaac shares his journey as a Truman Scholar, while Bryce and Executive Producer Richard Fawal tackle the urgent need for truthful reporting in rural America. Jess Piper joins host Heidi Heitkamp to break down how Democrats can rebuild trust in deeply red states.

Come away empowered with practical ideas for making a difference in your communities, no matter where you live. This episode highlights the importance of community building, hope, and the power of grassroot efforts to restore faith in Democracy for rural Americans.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.

Many rural veterans join the Hot Dish for this special Memorial Day episode. Marine Corps Infantryman and North Dakota Army National Guard First Sergeant Bradley Aune discusses issues veterans face when rejoining civilian life. North Dakota Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Jessica Petrick offers her perspective on what Memorial Day means to her. And One Country Project board member and former Senator and Member of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, Joe Donnelly, leads a discussion with Brigadier General Art Austin, Master General Frank Morales, and Staff Sergeant Sean Coulter about their experience with VA services.

On this Memorial Day week, gain a deeper understanding of what it means to transition from military to civilian life and how vital public programs and support systems are for veterans. Hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp emphasize the need for collective action and listening to veterans’ voices to improve systems meant to serve them. This episode will remind us all of the ongoing cost of service, the importance of advocating for continued funding, and the strength found in rural communities as they support their own.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.

Jerry Hagstrom, Sarah Melotte, and Bob Leonard join host Joel Heitkamp and guest host J.D. Scholten to discuss the impacts to rural America of Trump’s first 100 days in office. You will learn about disaster relief, rural healthcare, tariffs, manufacturing, immigration, and the ongoing Farm Bill debates in Congress. Each guest offers firsthand perspectives from their communities, highlighting the struggles and hopes of rural people.

Joel and J.D. weave together stories of hardship and hope while connecting local issues to national policy. You will hear engaging, actionable conversations on how rural communities are organizing, what key policy battles mean for them, and how everyone can get involved to support positive change.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

Find Sarah Melotte's work at https://dailyyonder.com/.
Find Bob Leonard's work at https://rleonard.substack.com/.
Find Jerry Hagstrom's work at https://www.hagstromreport.com/.

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.