Forgotten America

John Hood is back on the Forgotten America podcast to discuss his latest installment in the Folklore Cycle! Waterfolk takes on the formative period of American history between the 1830s and the 1850s. He shares with Garrett some of the unbelievable historical events and relationships that inspired scenes in his story. He also dives into some of the popular and lesser-known folktales and cryptids that appear throughout the novel. John and Garrett discuss the role restraints play in unleashing creativity, and we even get a sneak peek into the fourth adventure in the Folklore Cycle. Additional Resources Waterfolk: https://folklorecycle.com/ John Hood, President of the John William Pope Foundation, https://jwpf.org/team/john-hood/ Episode 20: Mountain Folk https://forgottenamerica.libsyn.com/ep-020-mountain-folk Episode 48: Forest Folk and the Return of John Hood https://forgottenamerica.libsyn.com/ep-048-forrest-folk-with-john-hood Bud Collyer – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud_Collyer Kraken: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraken Water Panther: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwater_panther Water Maidens, Welsh: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwragedd_Annwn#:~:text=Gwragedd%20Annwn%2C%20(singular%20Welsh%3A,Teg%20or%20Welsh%20fairy%20folk. Bear Springs, New Mexico: https://bearsprings.wordpress.com/ Monongahela, Monongy https://uppermonriver.org/do-three-legendary-monsters-inhabit-the-monongahela-river/ 1st book favorite character: Nanyehi Nancy Ward, Cherokee woman https://wams.nyhistory.org/settler-colonialism-and-revolution/the-american-revolution/nanyehi-nancy-ward/ 2nd book fav: Real Life Ichabod Crane, https://www.thehistoryreader.com/historical-figures/halloween-story-real-ichabod-crane/ 3rd book fav: Sam Houston, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Houston       Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer & Audio Editor Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Donate, Newsletter

Andy Fowler, Communications Specialist for the Yankee Institute, joins us for an episode to discuss Connecticut! Although he wasn't born there, his family has roots in the state that go back to the turn of the 20th century. Garrett & Andy discuss the reputation of Connecticut, its role in the colonial period and the founding of the United States, and the importance of learning about your home state's history. They also joke about the difficulty of pinning down a defining stereotype for people from Connecticut. If you enjoy pizza, the colonial period, or Gilmore Girls, you'll enjoy hearing about the Nutmeg State.   Additional Resources: Nutmeggers: nickname for people from Connecticut Learn more about Andrew's work at the Yankee Institute here: https://yankeeinstitute.org/author/andrewfowler/ Hidden in the Oak: https://yankeeinstitute.org/category/hidden-in-the-oak/ Andrew Fowler: @afowlxc on Twitter Milford, CT: https://www.ci.milford.ct.us/ Waterbury, CT: https://www.waterburyct.org/ Hartford, CT: https://www.hartfordct.gov/Home Mystic Pizza https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystic_Pizza Gilmore Girls: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilmore_Girls Fairfield County: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairfield_County,_Connecticut Griswold Inn in Essex: https://griswoldinn.com/ (George Washington visited there.) Silas Deane: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silas_Deane Yale: https://www.yale.edu/ New Haven: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Haven,_Connecticut Yukon Huskies: https://uconnhuskies.com/sports/mens-basketball Connecticut Compromise: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Connecticut-Compromise New England: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England More information about the lack of county governments in Connecticut: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2015/rpt/2015-R-0274.htm Connecticut's Nicknames: https://portal.ct.gov/csl/research/state-nicknames?language=en_US  or  https://connecticuthistory.org/the-storied-history-behind-connecticuts-nicknames/ Does Connecticut even have its own accent? https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/the-connecticut-accent-or-does-connecticut-even-have-one/  or  https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/05/nyregion/accent-what-accent.html New Haven style pizza: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Haven%E2%80%93style_pizza The Stepford Wives: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stepford_Wives The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art: oldest art museum in the US https://www.thewadsworth.org/ Nathan Hale: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Hale Roger Sherman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Sherman Prudence Crandall: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/prudence-crandall Father Michael McGivney, Founder of the Knights of Columbus: https://www.fathermcgivney.org/ Greenwich, CT: https://www.greenwichct.gov/ (one of the wealthiest places in the United States) Louis' Lunch: https://louislunch.com/ Pepe's Pizza: https://pepespizzeria.com/ Lobster Rolls were actually invented in Milford, CT: https://lobsteranywhere.com/new-england-style/history-lobster-roll/

Clayton Rasche is a first-generation Louisianan who adores his home state. He joins Garrett on this episode of the Forgotten America podcast to share about the incredibly rich culture of Louisiana. The Pelican State has deep French roots which can be seen in everything from the architecture to the political system to the food. We learn a little bit about the differences between Cajun and Creole culture and about the variety of small and large cities to explore. If you enjoy music, soulful food, and nature, you'll love this exploration of Louisiana through Clayton's eyes.   Additional Resources Grand Isle, Louisiana https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Isle,_Louisiana Louisiana State Symbols https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/louisiana/state-nickname/pelican-state Zydeco music: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zydeco Buckwheat Zydeco: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckwheat_Zydeco Lana Del Rey & her husband: https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a62103404/who-is-lana-del-rey-boyfriend-jeremy-dufrene/ Parishes instead of Counties: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parishes_in_Louisiana Cajun: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cajuns Creole: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Creole_people Some history and differences between Cajun & Creole culture and meaning: https://www.hnoc.org/publications/first-draft/whats-difference-between-cajun-and-creole-or-there-one Mandeville, Louisiana: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandeville,_Louisiana True Detective: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2790174/ Liz's Where Ya At Diner: https://lizswhereyatdiner.com/   Baton Rouge: https://www.visitbatonrouge.com/listing/louisiana-state-capitol/238/    Tiki Bar in New Orleans: https://latitude29nola.com/ Beach Bum Berry's Latitude 29: https://latitude29nola.com/   Follow Clayton on Social Media Instagram @claytonrasche Facebook /claytonrasche/        Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer - @Aviv5753   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Donate, Newsletter

Chris Ingstad is the President of Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation and an 8th generation Iowan. He joins the Forgotten America podcast to discuss life in Iowa. Chris explains why he hasn't seriously considered leaving the state despite its harsh winters, and he talks about the food, culture, economy, and heritage of the Hawkeye state. Additional Resources Follow Chris's work at Iowans for Taxpayer Relief Foundation: https://itrfoundation.org/staff/ Grant Wood and American Gothic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Wood University of Iowa Writer's Workshop: https://writersworkshop.uiowa.edu/ Field of Dreams: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097351/ “Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.” -  Iowa State Motto  https://publications.iowa.gov/135/1/profile/8-1.html#:~:text=On%20the%20white%20center%20stripe,in%20red%20below%20the%20streamers Okoboji, Iowa https://vacationokoboji.com/     Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer - @Aviv5753   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Donate, Newsletter

For this Halloween Special, Lyndsey Quinlan, Digital Marketing Associate for the Cardinal Institute, and Jessica Dobrinsky, Staff Writer for the Cardinal Institute, join Garrett Ballengee to discuss horror films set in rural locations. They share their favorites and explore themes of folklore, rural horror, and hicksploitation. They also take a deep dive into what makes a good horror film and look at literary themes, the power of music and lighting in film, human psychology analyzed through film, and some history behind scary movie genres. If you enjoy horror films, and even if you don't, you'll enjoy this riveting discussion of top horror films set in rural America. Follow Jessica & Lyndsey Follow Jessica Dobrinsky on Twitter https://x.com/jldobrinsky Follow Lyndsey Quinlan on Twitter https://x.com/its_Lynds_   Films Discussed Night of the Hunter Night of the Living Dead Texas Chainsaw Massacre Children of the Corn Evil Dead 2  Sleepy Hollow The Blair Witch Project The Witch   Additional Resources & Mentions Nightmare Before Christmas - film Hicksploitation – theme/trope Film Noir - genre Harry Powers – serial killer West Virginia Penitentiary a.k.a. Moundsville Penitentiary Horror Film - genre Leaning on the Everlasting Arms – Hymn Once Upon a Time There Was a Pretty Fly – Song White Zombie – film Slasher – genre Head Cheese – food Video nasty – type of film Stephen King – author Carrie – novel Comedy Horror – genre The Evil Dead – film Necronomicon Ex Mortis – fictional book from a film Ash vs. Evil Dead – TV show Sam Raimi – film director Bruce Campbell – actor and producer The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – book Atmospheric Horror – genre Found footage – film technique Flying Ointment       Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer - @Aviv5753   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Donate, Newsletter        

Emma Ayers, a native of East Tennessee and Religion & Culture Writer with the Washington Times, joins us today for the second half of our discussion of Hurricane Helene disaster recovery. She shares her perspective on the culture, economy, and people of East Tennessee and how they are responding to the unprecedented natural disaster of Hurricane Helene. She also shares a little about mule trains and other non-traditional ways that Appalachians are helping each other in their time of need. Additional Resources: East Tennessee Hurricane Helene Recovery Resources: https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2024/10/10/east-tennessee-flooding-rescues-resources-hurricane-helene-relief/75608482007/ Tennessee Disaster Recovery Map: https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/hurricane-helene-recovery.html Barstool Conservatism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barstool_conservatism Mule Trains: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/sep/30/north-carolina-residents-use-mule-trains-to-delive/ Social Trust: https://www.socialcapitalresearch.com/trust-and-trustworthiness/ Follow Emma's work at the Washington Times: www.washingtontimes.com Ways to Donate & Support: Samaritan's Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/disaster/hurricane-helene/ Look for actual individuals who live in the area who are looking for help on the ground.       Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer - @Aviv5753   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Donate, Newsletter

(We had some unusual technical difficulties when recording this episode. So please forgive any choppiness that may result – we did what we could to edit it as smoothly as possible.) Brooke Medina, Vice President of Communications for the John Locke Foundation, joins Garrett Ballengee to discuss the impact of Hurricane Helene on Western North Carolina and how these Appalachian communities are responding to this unprecedented disaster. Additional Resources: John Locke Foundation: https://www.johnlocke.org/about/team/brooke-medina/ Samaritan's Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/disaster/hurricane-helene/ Baptists on Mission: https://baptistsonmission.org/ Cajun Navy: https://www.cajunnavyrelief.com/ Donate to Hurricane Helene Refief: https://www.johnlocke.org/help-support-hurricane-helene-relief-efforts-in-western-nc/ Shop to Support Relief Efforts: https://johnlockestore.com/collections/restore-western-nc Carolina Journal: https://www.carolinajournal.com/ Hurricane Helene: https://www.axios.com/2024/10/04/hurricane-helene-deadliest-us-storms-death-toll       Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer - @Aviv5753   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Shawn Peterson, President of Catholic Education Partners and long-time resident of Minnesota, joins this episode of the Forgotten America podcast to weigh in on the selection of Tim Walz as the Democratic VP nominee. He also shares about the political history of Minnesota and its cultural history and shifts. If you're curious about the Upper Midwest and its Scandinavian roots, Garrett's discussion with Shawn will be enlightening.   Mentioned in this Episode: Red Wing boots from Minnesota https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Borlaug Minnesota Iron Range: beautiful old towns up there that have fallen into disrepair, very hard-working salt of the earth people https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cass_Gilbert Norwegian Lefse https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/18082/norwegian-lefse/ Catholic Education Partners https://catholiced.us/       Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer - @Aviv5753   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter  

Dr. Barker is the President of Southern Wesleyan University in South Carolina and joins us today to talk about current challenges in higher education and the importance of an education that teaches values and not just skills. Fun Fact: his home state is West Virginia, so Garrett kicks off this discussion by asking Dr. Barker about his hometown of Clarksburg. Dr. Barker shares stories about the Italian heritage of West Virginia, his time as a military chaplain, and how he came to work in higher education. If you care about the future of post-secondary education and wonder how we got to a place with such a broken system, this is an episode you'll enjoy. Learn more about Southern Wesleyan and Dr. Barker at https://www.swu.edu/about/who-we-are/our-president/     Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer & Editor Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

J.D. Vance's selection as President Trump's Vice-Presidential running mate has kicked up a renewed firestorm around Vance's Appalachian bona fides and his book Hillbilly Elegy. Is he legitimately Appalachian? What does it even mean to be Appalachian? In this episode of Forgotten America, Garrett is joined by Anthony Hennen, journalist and fellow Appalachian, to discuss this Vice-Presidential pick and what it might mean for the region.     Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear's Commentary on J.D. Vance https://x.com/douglaswburns/status/1817976888695951677 https://x.com/SeanPEngland/status/1815366244624740751   J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy https://www.amazon.com/Hillbilly-Elegy-Memoir-Family-Culture/dp/0062300547   Follow Anthony's Work https://expatalachians.com/author/anthonyh https://tfas.org/news/tfas-announces-recipients-of-2023-24-robert-novak-journalism-fellowship/ https://www.thecentersquare.com/users/profile/anthony%20hennen/   Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer & Editor Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Daniel Corcoran joins Forgotten America to discuss men's issues and why he feels our modern culture is leaving men behind. Statistics across a variety of sectors show that men are struggling with mental health, criminality, friendship, overall well-being, purposelessness, and society's perception of men. Dan & Garrett discuss these issues, how they affect men, and ways we can improve the lives of boys and men.   Keep up with Dan's work: Overcoming the Divide – YouTube Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@overcomingthedivide Men of Tomorrow – podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/men-of-tomorrow/id1752861808 @dancorcoran28 on Instagram   Some Relevant Statistics Mentioned in this Episode: 15% of men don't have a close friend (5 fold increase since 1990) 4 times more likely to die by suicide but 10 percentage points less likely to seek help 10 Million working-age men are not working or looking for work 71% of opioid overdoses are men 80-93% of men comprise prison populations   Additional Resources Mentioned: Richard Reeves: https://richardvreeves.com/ True Detective Quote: https://www.shmoop.com/quotes/world-needs-bad-men.html @TheTinMen https://www.instagram.com/thetinmen/ Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins https://a.co/d/5iFYOas Stoic Philosophy https://www.britannica.com/topic/Stoicism Camille Paglia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camille_Paglia The Art of Manliness https://www.artofmanliness.com/ Jordan Peterson https://www.youtube.com/user/JordanPetersonVideos Jocko Willink https://jocko.com/ Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer & Editor Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Two Hoosiers join the Forgotten America podcast to discuss the differences between two very different regions of Indiana. Sarah Milligan, Assistant Director of Community Engagement for the Institute for Quality Education, and Cesar Roman, Director of Community Engagement, share about life in Hardinsburg, IN and East Chicago, IN — one a rural, southern community and the other a bustling metropolitan satellite of Illinois. It's clear that despite very different experiences they both love their state. Join us as we learn about the history of Indiana, the variety of cultures represented, and the work Sarah & Cesar are doing to improve access to high-quality K-12 education in the Hoosier State.   Hardinsburg, IN https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardinsburg,_Indiana East Chicago, IN https://eastchicago.com/ Zelle's in East Chicago https://www.zelsroastbeef.com/ Rooster's Hen House https://www.facebook.com/RoostersHenHouseRestaurant/ One of the wealthiest cities in the US https://www.carmel.in.gov/ Time Zones in Indianapolis https://faqs.in.gov/hc/en-us/articles/115005225448-Indiana-Time-Zone-Information Institute for Quality Education https://www.i4qed.org/ https://www.i4qed.org/calculator State bird: Cardinal State flower: Peonie Highest Point in Indiana: Right on the border of OH. Hoosier Hill     Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer & Editor Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Jacob McCoy (Jake) is from Man, West Virginia in Logan County and a Contributor to the Cardinal's Nest Blog. He currently resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, son, and daughter. Jacob recently took a month-long trip to Ireland with his family. He and Garrett compare notes about their respective European travels and reflect on their homes in two different parts of West Virginia, changing accents, family history, societal trust, the migrant crisis in Ireland, and more.   Man WV https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man,_West_Virginia Athlone, Ireland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athlone Read Jake's latest contribution to the Cardinal's Nest Blog. https://cardinalinstitute.com/externalities/ Pigouvian tax: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigouvian_tax Hatfield-McCoy Feud: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatfield%E2%80%93McCoy_feud Aer Lingus:  https://www.aerlingus.com/html/en-IE/home.html R756 Road: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R756_road_(Ireland) Rock of Cashel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_of_Cashel Glendalough: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glendalough Rick Steves Guide to Ireland: https://a.co/d/0cZ2DCSF The Burren: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Burren High Trust v. Low Trust: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-trust_and_low-trust_societies Roscrea https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roscrea Taoiseach https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoiseach Limerick https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limerick King John's Castle https://kingjohnscastle.ie/ Galway https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galway Donegal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donegal_(town) Dingle Peninsula https://www.dingle-peninsula.ie/ Michelin Bib Gourmand https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/features/bib-gourmand-explained Thyme Restaurant https://athlone.ie/eat_and_drink/thyme/ Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer & Editor Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Originally from Ripley, Ohio and currently residing in Lexington, Kentucky, Caleb Franz is the Program Manager for Young Voices and the author of The Conductor: The Story of Rev. John Rankin, Abolitionism's Essential Founding Father. Caleb grew up in the town where John Rankin eventually died and was surrounded by stories of his role in history. He is now writing the authoritative biography on this forgotten founding father of the American abolition movement. He joins Garrett on the Forgotten America podcast to make sure we all remember this previously Forgotten American Hero. Caleb Franz's book, The Conductor: The Story of Rev. John Rankin, Abolitionism's Essential Founding Father Coming Out October 15th! https://www.amazon.com/Conductor-Rankin-Abolitionisms-Essential-Founding/dp/1637589891 Follow Caleb's work at Young Voices here: https://www.joinyv.org/staff/caleb-franz De Tocqueville on Slavery along the Ohio River https://voegelinview.com/noble-savages-and-barbarized-slaves-tocqueville-on-native-americans-and-african-americans-in-democracy-in-america/ Beyond the River: The Untold Story of the Heroes of the Underground Railroad https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-River-Untold-Underground-Railroad/dp/0684870665 Read more about John Rankin https://rlo.acton.org/archives/125356-the-letters-that-inspired-the-american-abolition-movement.html Second Great Awakening: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Great_Awakening John Rankin House https://www.ohiohistory.org/visit/browse-historical-sites/john-rankin-house/ John Rankin's burial place https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8760833/john-rankin National Underground Railroad Freedom Center https://freedomcenter.org/ Buffalo Trace Bourbon: https://www.rarebourbonshop.com/products/buffalo-trace-bourbon-1-liter Elijah Craig Bourbon: https://www.rarebourbonshop.com/products/elijah-craig-small-batch-bourbon Twitter @CalebFranz       Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer - @Aviv5753   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

What do the French Horn, Led Zepplin, and C.S. Lewis have in common? They are all part of the Great Conversation. Dr. Junius Johnson joins the Forgotten America podcast to discuss classical education and the literary life. Dr. Johnson grew up in Louisville, KY, and shares his story of discovering the Western Canon, classical music, and Latin. This episode is a great introduction to the classical education movement taking the country by storm. If you'd like to see a little more truth, goodness, and beauty reflected in the world around you, you'll want to listen to this episode and hear the wisdom Dr. Johnson has to share with us. And if you're looking for a new book to add to your booklist, make sure you take notes while listening.   Follow Dr. Junius Johnson's work: https://www.juniusjohnson.com/ OR https://academics.juniusjohnson.com/   Further Reference: The Western Cannon by Harold Bloom https://www.abebooks.com/first-edition/Western-Canon-Book-School-Ages-BLOOM/31214804233/bd C.S. Lewis https://www.christianbook.com/page/christian-authors/cs-lewis Mimesis - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimesis Resource for scanning Latin poetry https://www.thoughtco.com/scan-a-line-of-latin-poetry-118819 John Dewey: https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Dewey William James: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/james/ Children of Time https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_Time_(novel) Dune https://www.thriftbooks.com/series/dune-chronicles/37695/ Garth Nix https://garthnix.com/books/the-seventh-tower/ https://garthnix.com/books/the-keys-to-the-kingdom/ https://garthnix.com/books/the-old-kingdom/ Timothy Zahn https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrail_series Writing history textbooks for highschoolers with Classical Academic Press: Humanitas https://classicalacademicpress.com/ https://classicalacademicpress.com/collections/humanitas     Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer - @Aviv5753   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

In this special solo episode, Garrett takes some time to reflect on recent conversations with guests of the Forgotten America podcast and his Spring vacation to Scottland & Ireland. The last few months of guests and travel have driven home the need for West Virginia to have a Hall of Heroes to celebrate its people and its past. This episode is a great reminder of the importance of loving the place you're from and sharing your passion for it with others. Special Mentions: Edinburgh, Scottland https://edinburgh.org/ Similarities between Scottland and Appalachia https://www.ecoclimax.com/2021/05/the-appalachian-mountains-scottish.html Of course, Scottland would have a history of coal mining! https://edinburgh.org/event/before-and-after-coal/ Adam Smith: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Smith Cliffs of Moher – Ireland https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/ Galway (Irish Nashville) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galway The Burren https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/your-visit/beyond-the-cliffs-places-to-see/the-burren/   Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Tiffany Hoben is the Director of Education Partnerships & Strategy for the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy. She joins the Forgotten America Podcast to share her motivations for moving from the Sunshine State to the Mountain State, her passion for civics education, and her belief in the importance of feeling rooted in a local community. The Outpost: https://outpostnrg.com/ Florida Civics Standards: https://www.fldoe.org/civicliteracy/ Comments from the Civics Alliance on the 2024 Proposed West Virginia Social Studies Standards: https://civicsalliance.org/letter-comment-on-west-virginia-social-studies-standards/ New River Gorge: https://www.nps.gov/neri/index.htm Parrish, Florida: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parrish,_Florida   Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Homer Hickam is a true West Virginia hero. Raised in Coalwood, a mining town in southern West Virginia, he went on to fight in the Vietnam War, work for NASA, and become a best-selling author. His book, Rocket Boys, was made into the popular movie October Sky. In this episode, he shares with Garrett stories from his life that reveal how his upbringing in West Virginia contributed to his success. Homer tells about the inspiration behind his books, expresses his love for the Appalachian mountains, and gives his thoughts about education, the importance of community, and so much more. He even gives a sneak peek into some upcoming projects that he is working on. Garrett's conversation with Homer evokes a sense of both comforting familiarity and otherworldliness. This episode of Forgotten America will leave you in awe of how much things have changed since the 40s but also grateful for the resilience of the Mountaineer Spirit.   Follow Homer's work by visiting his website: https://homerhickam.com/ Get a copy of his newest book, Don't Blow Yourself Up, here: https://homerhickam.com/project/dont-blow-yourself-up/ October Sky (movie adaptation of his memoir, Rocket Boys): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0132477/ Coalwood, WV: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coalwood,_West_Virginia Buddy Ebsen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Ebsen Jake Gyllenhaal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Gyllenhaal Carrying Albert Home: https://homerhickam.com/project/carrying-albert-home/   Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

This episode of Forgotten America opens with a brief walk down memory lane. Garrett shares how he first met Dr. Thompson at his Moral Foundations of Capitalism seminar at Clemson University. Dr. Thompson's lecture was a catalyst moment for Garrett that led him down a career path that brought him home to run the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy, a free market think tank. Dr. Bradley Thompson was born in Canada, but he considered himself an American born in the wrong country from a young age. He tells the story of how hitchhiking through the United States was a formative experience for him and explains that he chose to explore rural America this way for two reasons: to discover America and to discover himself. This episode of the Forgotten America podcast explores the origins of Dr. Thompson's Substack entitled Redneck Intellectual, how COVID impacted a generation of young men and women, what makes classical education unique, and the importance of fatherhood. If you enjoy thinking about the big questions of life, this episode is one that you won't want to miss. The Well Trained Mind (online resource) https://welltrainedmind.com/ The Well Trained Mind: The Essential Edition (book) C. Bradley Thompson, Professor at Clemson University and Executive Director for the Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism https://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/capitalism/cisc/bradley-thompson.html Dr. Thompson's website: https://cbradleythompson.com/ The American Mountain People: National Geographic https://www.amazon.com/American-Mountain-National-Geographic-Society/dp/B00PAC6LMY The How and Why Book of the American Revolution https://www.amazon.com/How-Book-American-Revolution-Wonder/dp/B000BOZY3I The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fountainhead Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand https://aynrand.org/novels/atlas-shrugged/ Fathers and Sons, American Style https://cbradleythompson.com/fathers-and-sons-american-style/ LocoFoco Press https://cbradleythompson.substack.com/p/announcement-from-the-redneck-intellectual Twitter: @CBradleyThomps1   Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Ep. 071: Into the Wild: Life in the Mat-Su Valley of Alaska Sarah Montalbano is the Policy Manager for the Alaska Policy Forum and a senior fellow with the Independent Women's Forum. She was born and raised in Wasilla, AK, and her family has roots in the state from the era before Alaskan statehood. Sarah joins the Forgotten America podcast to share about the culture, natural beauty, and economic growth of the state. Garrett & Sarah discuss public policy challenges Alaska faces, art and culture, and the history of the native population as well as how Alaskans handle issues of conservation and responsible land development.   Follow @SarahMontalban0 and at IWF, Young Voices, and Alaska Policy Forum.  Additional Resources for This Episode Wasilla, Alaska: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasilla,_Alaska Alaska Policy Forum: https://alaskapolicyforum.org/author/sarahm/ Mat-Su Valley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanuska-Susitna_Valley Alaska Permanent Fund: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Permanent_Fund Endless Wall Trail in West Virginia https://www.nps.gov/places/endless-wall-trail.htm Hatcher Pass Alaska https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatcher_Pass 229 federally recognized federally recognized Alaskan native villages. Alaska Federation of Natives: https://www.nativefederation.org/ Alaska Native Corporations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Native_Claims_Settlement_Act 13 regional corporations that generate revenues and distribute them to shareholders Denali National Park: https://www.alaska.org/destination/denali-national-park Hobo Jim State Balladeer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobo_Jim Bus 142 from Into the Wild: https://www.uaf.edu/museum/collections/ethno/projects/bus_142/index.php Into the Wild (book): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Wild_(book) Firecracker Boys (book): https://www.amazon.com/Firecracker-Boys-Dan-ONeill/dp/0465003486   Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Jerry Apps is Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the author of more than 35 books. He is a storyteller and historian, joining the Forgotten America podcast to share about his life growing up on a dairy farm in rural, central Wisconsin. Born during the Great Depression, his youth inspired much of his subsequent work and his love for rural America. He joins Garrett to discuss his upcoming book, Farms & Rural Communities: An Agricultural Ethic for the Future. If you've ever enjoyed listening to a beloved grandparent tell stories of their childhood, you'll particularly enjoy this episode which dives into the history of family farming and much of the forgotten history of rural life in America.   Follow Jerry's work at https://jerryapps.com/ Purchase a copy of his new book from Fulcrum Books. Signed copies are available.   Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

  Nick Deiuliis is a chemical engineer, attorney, and business executive. During a career spanning 30 years, he served as the CEO or Chairman of the Board of five public energy companies. During that time, Nick has been on the front lines of the war being waged by elites against working men and women of Appalachia, the “doers” of the American economy, and the free-thinking individual.     Nick is a lifelong Pittsburgher and considers himself a proud capitalist and free enterprise advocate. He joins Garrett today to discuss the city of Pittsburgh and its place among Appalachian cities, the energy industry's role in society and the future of the region, and Nick's book, Precipice: The Left's Campaign to Destroy America.   Nick shares about the thinkers who inspired his own personal philosophy and the path his career in the energy industry took. If you're wondering what Appalachians can do to build a brighter future and fight back against coastal elites, you'll want to listen to this episode of Forgotten America.   Learn more about Nick's work here. Buy and Read Precipice: The Left's Campaign to Destroy America  Reason Article Mentioned: https://reason.com/2005/10/01/rethinking-the-social-responsi-2/ Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Elyse Marcellino is the Director of Embark in Mississippi. Embark is a new schools accelerator that works with school founders to help them move from idea to doors open. They guide school founders through early planning and preparing to launch so they can successfully open new schools to serve students throughout the state. Elyse and Garrett start this episode by celebrating what West Virginia and Mississippi have in common and commiserating as residents of states that are often ridiculed by coastal elites.   Elyse shares about her experience with several types of education environments growing up which inspired her to make a career in the education reform movement. Sometimes supply needs a little help meeting demand - Garrett & Elyse discuss how we can improve education options outside of state legislatures by working alongside education entrepreneurs to meet the educational needs in our communities even in rural communities.   Embark Laurel, Mississippi Home Town on HGTV Mississippi Delta      Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

  Fred Fransen is the President of Huntington Junior College and Co-Founder of Certell, Inc. He also previously served as Executive Director at the Center for Excellence in Higher Education and as Senior Fellow for Liberty Fund. He has been working to make breakthroughs in how to improve education at both the K-12 and higher education levels.   Garrett & Fred talk about the role of junior colleges in the reformation of education in the United States, particularly about the changes Fred is making at Huntington Junior College to incorporate civics and Great Books education into the college's programs. Fred shares about the defining role the Fall of the Berlin Wall played in his realization of how important freedom is, and how that moment led him to the University of Chicago, which underscored his future career in higher education reform and philanthropy. They also explore Fred's time in a small town called Eureka Springs, Arkansas.    Committee on Social Thought at University of Chicago Find Fred Fransen on LinkedIn Alan Bloom Liberty Fund Huntington Junior College   Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Join us for a Thanksgiving-themed episode before we pause for the holidays! On Thanksgiving Eve, Garrett recorded another solo episode. He shared ten things he is grateful for this Thanksgiving. He observes how the practice of gratitude can break up the monotony of life and cut through the polarization of our day. For Garrett, remembering the good things in his life has helped him get through dark times. Gratitude is a catalyst for both joy and togetherness when both might otherwise be absent. Also, to give our team a break during this holiday season, we are going to take a pause from releasing episodes for the month of December. We all need a moment to reflect on where we have been and where we are going in the New Year. We'll be back in January to start off 2024 with some great content!     Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Monica Moses is a policy fellow for the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy and a PhD candidate at West Virginia University. She joins Garrett today to discuss the role colleges and universities play in rural communities. She discusses how growing up in a small town near St. Bonaventure University influenced her interest in researching the role universities and colleges play in rural areas. Garrett & Monica explore the symbiotic relationship that these higher education institutions have with the communities around them and how they can help prevent brain drain.    Learn more about Monica's work and follow her on Twitter @MonicaaMoses. Olean, New York St. Bonaventure University  Alleghany River Ascend WV   Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Ashley Stinnett is the Communications Coordinator for Coalfield Development, he's a co-founder of the Film Futures Foundation, a former republican candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates, an actor, and an author. He was born and grew up in Lavalette, West Virginia and currently resides in Wayne County.   Today he joins Garrett to talk about Halloween, the horror genre, and his book Haunted Tales From Appalachia: Ghosts, Spirits and Other Strange Happenings from the Hills and Hollows.    Many of the stories in Ashley's book are inspired by real events. In this episode, he shares some of the family stories that inspired his book and discusses his faith and its influence on his horror writing. Garrett & Ashley explore the value of the horror genre in film and writing and tackle the question “Is Appalachia an inherently scary place?”    Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scary_Stories_to_Tell_in_the_Dark Goosebumps books https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goosebumps Scholastic BookFair https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/home.html   Other Books by Ashley Stinnett: The Liberty Documents: Principles That Framed a Nation Grasping Appalachian Conservatism: How Not to Be Mistaken for a Latte Liberal The Liberty Essays: Restoring a Lost American Principle     Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Kim Dully has a Master's degree in School Counseling, she is a Grassroots Coordinator with Love Your School-WV, and a co-host of the We Have Hope podcast. She has years of experience working with families and kids, particularly with recruiting and teaching foster parents in the northern panhandle of West Virginia.   On today's episode of Forgotten America, Kim shares her experience with the foster care system as a child whose siblings were in foster care in Pennsylvania and as an adult who has worked to recruit foster families in West Virginia. Her story helps to highlight the beauty that comes when one adult steps in the gap for a child and the brokenness that exists in our current foster care system.    Kim Dully kim@loveyourschoolwv.org  We Have Hope podcast https://www.loveyourschool.org/we-have-hope-podcast/ Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Aaron Renn is a writer and consultant based in Indianapolis and is a co-founder and Senior Fellow at American Reformer. He had a first career in management and technology consulting advising major corporations as a Partner at Accenture and a second career in urban policy as a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. Today his focus is on helping conservatives and the American church rise to the challenge of finding success in the 21st century.   Appalachia is the last physically beautiful land in America that does not have extreme climate and is affordable. The same sorts of people who are buying up land in the West will soon, and already are, turning their sights east toward Appalachia. In this episode of Forgotten America, Aaron and Garrett tackle difficult questions like the role climate plays in economic growth, how migration is impacting local communities in the region, and the major divide Aaron sees between the North and South Appalachian regions.    Garrett asks what kind of progress should we want for our region and should we look to growing mountain state regions in the West for ideas to grow economically in Appalachia? Listen in to hear what Aaron thinks about the present and future of Appalachia and his citizen-centric strategy for prosperity.      Stats & Terms Mentioned Idaho is the 2nd fastest growing state in the country. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/idaho-population-change-between-census-decade.html Appalachian Regional Commission's discussion of subregions in Appalachia. https://www.arc.gov/map/subregions-in-appalachia/ Sunbelt vs. Frostbelt https://www.jrank.org/encyclopedia/pages/cm7kzpwgun/Sunbelt-Frostbelt.html Brookings Institution's Exurbia Info  CentralApp https://www.centralapp.us/ Oktana https://oktana.com/ Nate Phipp's article about these remote companies https://cardinalinstitute.com/a-west-virginia-miracle-in-remote-work-innovation/ SOAR https://soar-ky.org/ Governing.com article on relocation incentives https://www.governing.com/work/pay-people-to-move-to-your-state-or-region-maybe-its-not-such-a-bad-idea   You can keep up with Aaron Renn by subscribing to his Substack. Twitter: @Aaron_Renn The pieces that inspired this episode. https://urbanreforminstitute.org/2023/08/the-future-of-appalachia/ https://www.aaronrenn.com/p/future-of-appalachia https://www.city-journal.org/article/appalachias-north-south-divide   Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

  Jessi Troyan, Director of Policy & Research for the Cardinal Institute, takes over the Forgotten America podcast as guest host. She interviews Chris Denson, Director of Policy & Research at the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, about health care in rural America, particularly focusing on his experiences with the healthcare system in Georgia.    Prior to his time at the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, Chris served as Director of Outreach at HCA Memorial Health in Savannah, a 612-bed Level 1 trauma center serving a 32-county region in Southeast Georgia and South Carolina and as the Director of Advisory Services for Hometown Health, a multi-state rural hospital trade association based in Georgia. He shares his unique perspective on health care policy and its impacts on rural communities.    Key Statistics Mentioned: 159 Counties in Georgia 82 w/o OB/GYNs 65 w/o Pediatricians 40 w/o Internal Medicine 18 w/o Family Medicine 9 with No Physicians whatsoever Certificate of Need - Heavily regulated in Georgia 50 services and facility types are regulated through CON You're 10% more likely to have a Nurse Practitioner office in rural areas.   Reports from Georgia Public Policy Foundation https://www.georgiapolicy.org/publications/addressing-georgias-healthcare-disparities-the-benefits-of-full-practice-authority-for-nurse-practitioners-and-physician-assistants/#how-underserved-is-most-of-georgia   https://www.georgiapolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CON-report.pdf      Georgia Public Policy Foundation: https://www.georgiapolicy.org/about/ Chris Denson: https://www.georgiapolicy.org/people/chris-denson/  Knee Center for the Study of Occupational Regulation: https://csorwvu.com/  Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Anthony Hennen covers Pennsylvania as a reporter for the Center Square and is the Managing Editor of Expatalachians. He also was recently named a Robert Novak Journalism Fellow with the Fund for American Studies. He joins Garrett today to discuss Presidential election season and how candidates are addressing rural American issues.   Find Anthony online at: Center Square: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/ Expatalachians: http://expatalachians.com/ Anthony's previous Forgotten America Episode: https://forgottenamerica.libsyn.com/ep-006-expatalachians Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Tony Reed, Editor & Producer Associate Director of Operations - @treed1134 International Center for Law & Economics   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

  Marina Herrera is a 17th generation New Mexican on the Spanish side of her family with roots as far back as time immemorial on the indigenous side of her family. She joins Garrett today to talk about her life growing up in New Mexico's Mora Valley. She takes us on a journey through the culture, language, food, and art of the region that inspires a sense of awe. Marina also shares the challenges New Mexico faces and the ways she is working with the Rio Grande Foundation to address those concerns. If you've ever said, “Thank God for Mississippi,” you're likely to relate to the experiences Marina shares in this episode of the Forgotten America podcast.    Statistics Mentioned New Mexico is 51st for education  New Mexico is 1st in the nation for non-violent crime Record breaking homicides five years in a row Espanola is the heroin capitol of the world Albuquerque is a sanctuary city New Mexico spends more per student but gets worse outcomes than any of their neighboring states  New Mexico is #1 in the nation for Ph.D.s per capita  New Mexico is one of the world's largest producers (surpassing Mexico) of oil & gas Places to Visit The Buckhorn Tavern in San Antonio, #7 burger in the nation, Green Chile Cheese burger The Owl in San Antonio, https://sanantonioowl.com/ Santa Fe, New Mexico  Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, part of the National Park Service System  https://www.nps.gov/sapu/index.htm  New Mexican music has a distinct style. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_music World's Tallest Tramway https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandia_Peak_Tramway San Miguel Church - oldest church in the U.S.  The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi  El Pinto - restaurant  Geronimo - famous restaurant  Sangre de Cristo Mountains https://www.britannica.com/place/Sangre-de-Cristo-Mountains  Las Vegas, New Mexico and Taos, New Mexico on the map   Additional Information & References Learn more about Marina and her work at the Rio Grande Foundation.  Penitente Morada of Abiquiu  Learn more about Penitentes, a private Catholic Brotherhood unique to Northern, New Mexico Santeros - Saint art makers, distinct form of iconography art  Colcha embroidery - unique form of art from the American southwest Breaking Bad https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0903747/   Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Tony Reed, Editor & Producer Associate Director of Operations - @treed1134 International Center for Law & Economics   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

When you hear the words “New York,” what do you think of? Maybe you think of Times Square or Wall Street. Perhaps you think of the Empire State Building. Does your mind immediately go to pizza? Mine does. There's a number of cultural references to New York that may come to mind. But whatever you think of, I'm willing to bet the first thing that comes to mind is related to New York City . . . not New York state. What is the rest of New York like beyond Manhattan? How do New Yorkers feel about the stereotypes and the tendency of American pop culture to reduce their entire state to a single city? The Cardinal Institute's newest team member, Nate Phipps, joins us to share about his childhood in upstate New York and the similarities and differences between New York state and states like West Virginia.   Nate Phipps bio   ---------- Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Tony Reed, Editor & Producer Associate Director of Operations - @treed1134 International Center for Law & Economics   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

This may have been one of my favorite episodes to record in quite awhile, and I hope you all enjoy it too. In this week's episode, Garrett interviews West Virginia author, S.D. Smith, author of the beloved Green Ember series. Garrett & Sam discuss such wide-ranging topics as the beauty of Appalachia, Sam's childhood in South Africa, the philosophy and writing of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, and the feeling that many West Virginians have of inferiority inter-mixed with a deep sense of pride.    If you believe all children should read fairy tales, if you feel awe when you behold the sunset across the Appalachian Mountains, and if you enjoy the company of characters from a good book, you will adore this discussion with Sam and the sneak peak he gives into his life as a writer in southern West Virginia.    Follow Sam's work at his website https://sdsmith.com/.   Literature and Locations Mentioned Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) Old Smith Cemetery, Wayne County, WV Pipestem Resort State Park New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Little Beaver State Park   “it grows like a seed in the dark out of the leaf-mould of the mind: out of all that has been seen or thought or read, that has long ago been forgotten, descending into the deeps.” - J.R.R. Tolkien    More information on the concept of “leaf-mould of the mind” from the Rabbit Room.   ---------- Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Tony Reed, Editor & Producer Associate Director of Operations - @treed1134 International Center for Law & Economics   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

  Mark Moses has provided finance-related management and consulting services to local government agencies since 2011 after spending two decades working directly for municipal agencies in senior-level finance and administrative management positions. He joins Garrett today on Forgotten America to discuss an area of political life that is often forgotten, overlooked, and dismissed: municipal finance.   Each of us is often most aware of national politics, and when it comes to certain issues, we may pay attention to our state legislatures. But how many of us keep an eye on what the level of government closest to us is doing? Mark & Garrett discuss how the sprawling missions of towns, cities, and municipalities can negatively affect the lives of those who form these communities. I think you'll be surprised just how much city hall impacts your life.    Website: https://munifinanceguy.com/ Twitter: @MuniFinanceGuy   Mark's Book: The Municipal Financial Crisis: A Framework for Understanding and Fixing Government Budgeting   ---------- Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Tony Reed, Editor & Producer Associate Director of Operations - @treed1134 International Center for Law & Economics   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Danny Murphy, the Director of Right on Crime for Virginia and West Virginia, joins Garrett Ballengee and Jessica Dobrinsky Harris, Cardinal's Policy Analyst, for a discussion of what it means to reform the criminal justice system in America and how we can approach this issue from a perspective rooted in the principles of liberty.    In this episode, we tackle issues like mandatory minimums, what it means to be “tough on crime,” differences in types of drug offenders, bail reform, plea bargaining, federalism, and more.    Right on Crime   ---------- Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Tony Reed, Editor & Producer Associate Director of Operations - @treed1134 International Center for Law & Economics   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Kerry McDonald, a national expert on education entrepreneurship and alternative forms of education, joins Garrett to discuss nontraditional schooling and the growing trend of microschooling in America.    Garrett & Kerry explore the history of homeschooling and the reasons why many have chosen to return to a model of education that is reminiscent of the one room schoolhouse while debunking several popular myths about homeschooling and other forms of alternative education. Kerry also shares the most recent statistics about homeschooling and microschooling in the United States along with stories from her work with education entrepreneurs across the country.    Senior Education Fellow at FEE and the host of the LiberatED podcast.    Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-educated Children outside the Conventional Classroom   Pioneer Institute Embark   ---------- Hosted by Garrett Ballengee Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Executive Producer Amanda Kieffer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Produced & Edited by Tony Reed Associate Director of Operations - @treed1134 International Center for Law & Economics   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Today's episode takes a bit of a detour outside of our typical topics about communities and challenges in rural America.    Scott Beyer joins us again on the Forgotten America Podcast - this time to discuss the Scott Beyer Market Urbanism World Tour, where he is exploring 40 cities across 3 regions for a year and a half, to see how the fast pace of development in the Global South can inform free-market policy and urban issues in a broader context.    Garrett talks with Scott just after he has completed the first segment of his worldwide tour in Latin America. He shares the differences he is seeing between Southern American countries and North America in terms of our cultures, levels of regulation, and the way we build our cities. He also discusses the importance of the rule of law, free-markets, and other freedom values that could help these cities in the Global South become more prosperous. On the flip-side, Scott also shares how at the smallest levels, some of these countries are even freer and less regulated than the United States - there are even some cities that are entirely privately owned!    While our podcast focuses primarily on rural America, the lines between urban and rural can often be a bit blurry, so let's join Garrett & Scott to see what we can learn from Scott's exploration of world-wide urbanism through a free-market lens. Maybe we'll find solutions to the challenges that are facing us in our very own communities.   Resources Large City Rankings Tokyo  Dheli Shanghai Sao Paulo Mexico City Cairo Mumbai Beijing Dhaka Osaka New York Karachi Buenos Aires Chongqing Istanbul Favelas - working class neighborhoods in Brazil (Scott compares these to the homes West Virginians build up into the hills and the ways in which trailer park communities are organized in some rural communities)   How to Follow Scott Beyer's Work Market Urbanism Report The Market Urbanism Podcast Market Urbanism Report Facebook Group Scott's previous episode on Forgotten America: Ep.004: The Jagged Heart of Appalachia  Twitter: @sbcrosscountry or @marketurbanist  Instagram: @market_urbanism_report Follow Scott's World Tour at the Independent Institute: Catalyst   ---------- Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Tony Reed, Editor & Producer Associate Director of Operations - @treed1134 International Center for Law & Economics   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Dr. Matt Ladner is an education policy researcher and is the Executive Editor of ReimaginED, a blog focused on education choice. Matt is also the Director of the Arizona Center for Student Opportunity at the Arizona Charter School Association.   Matt joins Garrett today to discuss his recent paper, co-authored with Jason Bedrick and published by the Heritage Foundation, Rustic Renaissance: Education Choice in Rural America. They talk about how well American public education is doing at achieving its purpose of “equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and habits they need for success in life and preparing them to exercise citizenship responsibly.” Matt also explains how regulatory capture is impacting America's K-12 system.    If you're interested in how school choice policies are impacting rural America, this is the episode for you.    Wired Article mentioned: The Techies Who Are Hacking Education by Homeschooling Their Kids You can follow Matt's work at: ReimaginED Arizona Charter Schools Association Twitter: @MatthewLadner   Please take a moment today to rate and review this podcast on your favorite streaming service. It helps other people find the podcast so they too can learn about the culture and challenges of Forgotten America and how individuals are tackling them.   ---------- Hosted by Garrett Ballengee Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Executive Producer Amanda Kieffer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Produced & Edited by Tony Reed Associate Director of Operations - @treed1134 International Center for Law & Economics   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

In this special Bonus episode of the Forgotten America podcast, Amanda Kieffer, Communications Director for the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia hosts an episode focused on maternity care access in rural America and the role midwives play in caring for women.  Our guest this week is Beth Redden, a Certified Nurse Midwife from Southern West Virginia and fellow of the American College of Nurse Midwives. Amanda and Beth discuss who midwives are, what they do, and the regulations that impact maternity care, especially in rural America. Amanda also shares a few tidbits from her personal experience as a new mother who received midwifery care.  If you or someone you love is a mother, we hope you'll listen to this episode and share it so that we can raise awareness of the regulatory burdens that are preventing women in America from receiving the quality care they need and deserve. Thanks for your support, and we hope you enjoy this special episode of Forgotten America!  ----------Guest Host & Executive Producer Amanda Kieffer Communications Director - @akieffer13 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy  Produced & Edited by Tony Reed Associate Director of Operations - @treed1134 International Center for Law & Economics  Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram  Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Stephanie Wissman is the Executive Director of API Pennsylvania, a division of the American Petroleum Institute. API's mission is to promote safety and to influence public policy in support of a strong, viable U.S. oil and natural gas industry. Stephanie joins Garrett to talk about domestic energy policy, wonder in awe at the marvel of modern fracking innovation, and dream of one day finally getting to see the Mountain Valley Pipeline in West Virginia. All on this episode of Forgotten America. @scwissman https://www.api.org/  https://www.mountainvalleypipeline.info/   ----- Hosted by Garrett BallengeeExecutive Director - @gballengCardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Executive Producer Amanda Kieffer Communications Director - @akieffer13 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Produced & Edited by Tony Reed Associate Director of Operations - @treed1134 International Center for Law & Economics Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter 

As the founder of Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys, a public charter school, Jack Johnson Pannell aims to disrupt the status quo in education and design by building an effective model of teaching and learning for boys of color. As an impact social entrepreneur, he is expanding the Collegiate Model through a national network of schools.    Jack joins Garrett on the podcast to talk about what makes an all boys school so different, and the massive impact that just a firm handshake and a tie can have on these young men.    On this episode of Forgotten America.   Jack Johnson Pannell Founder, Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys @Lyncaeus   ---------- Hosted by Garrett Ballengee  Executive Director - @gballeng  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy    Executive Producer Amanda Kieffer  Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy    Produced & Edited by Tony Reed  Associate Director of Operations - @treed1134  International Center for Law & Economics    Follow:  YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram  Support:  Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Charlotte and Kenny Webb have dedicated their work to finding innovative solutions to help formerly incarcerated and recovering individuals gain access to resources and employment opportunities. Through their company, Charleston Property Restoration, they hire “fair-chance” employees and offer practical assistance through their nonprofit organization, Way Makers.    In this episode, Charlotte and Kenny tell Garrett why they decided to form a nonprofit organization aimed at removing barriers to reentry, how to think about compassion vs consequence, and question the systematic Catch 22 making it more difficult for those on the road to recovery to reach their destination.   Kenny Webb Owner, Charleston Property Restoration   Charlotte Webb Director, Way Makers   ---------- Hosted by Garrett Ballengee Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Executive Producer Amanda Kieffer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Produced & Edited by Tony Reed Associate Director of Operations - @treed1134 International Center for Law & Economics   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

What do Sojourner Truth, Davy Crockett, Ichabod Crane, and a Cherokee river dragon have in common? They are all characters in John Hood's second historical-fantasy novel, Forest Folk.    John Hood is president of the John William Pope Foundation, a Raleigh-based grantmaker that supports public policy organizations, educational institutions, arts and cultural programs, and humanitarian relief in North Carolina and beyond. He is also a newspaper columnist, historian, and an author with a deep passion for both the American Founding and speculative fiction.    In this episode, John joins Garrett for his second time as a guest of the podcast, to discuss his latest novel, Forest Folk, the perfect recipie for blending folklore and early American History, and ask the real Ichabod Crane to please stand up.   All on this episode of Forgotten America.   John Hood @JohnHoodNC   Folklore Cycle Series Mountain Folk Forest Folk   ---------- Hosted by Garrett Ballengee Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Executive Producer Amanda Kieffer Communications Director - @akieffer13  Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy   Produced & Edited by Tony Reed Associate Director of Operations - @treed1134 International Center for Law & Economics   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Welcome back to the Forgotten America Podcast! We are returning from a strategic pause in releasing new episodes in order to build up a robust catalog of episodes and add new content formats to the show. We have a lineup of fantastic guests and we're excited to share those conversations with you. In this episode, Garrett goes solo as he reflects on the importance of exploring our roots as a way to find meaning and purpose in our lives. He discusses how those who came before us influence who we are today and shares his personal insight on the lessons we can learn from our ancestors. Making a personal connection with our predecessors can lead to a clearer understanding of our roles in today's society and help us know how to have a positive impact on the culture of tomorrow. So let's take a look inward by taking a look backward, in this episode of Forgotten America. Hosted by Garrett Ballengee, @gballeng Executive Director Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Executive Producer Amanda Kieffer, @akieffer13  Communications Director Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Produced & Edited by Tony Reed, @treed1134 Associate Director of Operations International Center for Law & Economics Follow:  YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support:  Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Note: As you probably noticed, this episode is being released a week later than our usual schedule. Extensive traveling has made it difficult to schedule a guest interview while Garrett is on the road. So we brought in Cardinal Institute's Jessi Troyan to do a deep dive with Garret on the current state of the US economy.    Jessi Troyan is the Director of Policy and Research for the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy. Jessi was raised in Pinch, WV, about 20 minutes outside Charleston. She received her Ph.D. in economics from George Mason University with her dissertation covering the political economy of mining reclamation.  Jessi L. Troyan, PhD, @jltroyan_wv Director of Policy and Research Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy  Hosted by Garrett Ballengee, @gballeng Executive Director Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Produced & Edited by Tony Reed, @treed1134 Associate Director of Operations International Center for Law & Economics Executive Producer Amanda Kieffer, @akieffer13  Communications Director Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Follow:  YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support:  Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Garrett is joined by Brian Fencl, Professor of Art, and Director of the Nutting Gallery at West Liberty University. This week, Garrett and Brian dive into some of the reasons visual arts are so important for fly-over country. Are rural Americans portrayed fairly in art? Should the government continue to support the arts? Is it even possible to define what art is?  All coming up in this episode of Forgotten America.   Brian Fencl, @fenclstudio https://westliberty.edu/media-visual-arts/faculty/brian-fencl/  Nutting Gallery at West Liberty University, https://westliberty.edu/media-visual-arts/gallery/    Hosted by Garrett Ballengee @gballeng Produced & Edited by Tony Reed @treed1134 Executive Producer Amanda Kieffer @akieffer13 Follow:  YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support:  Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Garrett is joined by Don Soifer, President of Nevada Action for School Options, a nonpartisan “action tank” he founded in 2017 to support the growth of diverse choices of rich, high-quality, and personalized educational opportunities for all students. This week, Garrett and Don discuss his approach to alternative education, including microschools, learning pods, and hybrid learning, along with some of the challenges facing the School Choice movement. Don Soifer @donsoifer Nevada Action for School Options     Hosted by Garrett Ballengee @gballeng Produced & Edited by Tony Reed @treed1134 Executive Producer Amanda Kieffer @akieffer13   Follow:  YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support:  Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Garrett is joined by Paul Gessing, President of the Rio Grande Foundation, an organization dedicated to increasing liberty and prosperity for New Mexico citizens by promoting individual freedom, limited government, and economic opportunity. This week, Garrett and Paul discuss the many economic and social issues currently facing New Mexico and how leaders at the state and local levels are picking up the slack left by the federal government.   Paul Gessing, @pgessing Rio Grande Foundation, https://riograndefoundation.org/ https://errorsofenchantment.com/      Hosted by Garrett Ballengee @gballeng Produced & Edited by Tony Reed @treed1134 Executive Producer Amanda Kieffer website   Follow:  YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support:  Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Garrett is joined by Justin (Gus) Hurwitz, Professor at Nebraska College of Law and the Director of Law & Economic Programs at the International Center for Law & Economics. Gus's work builds on his background in law, technology, and economics to consider the interface between law and technology and the role of regulation in high-tech industries. In this week's episode, Garrett and Gus discuss the logistical, political, and philosophical questions surrounding broadband in rural America.   Gus Hurwitz @gushurwitz  https://law.unl.edu/justin-gus-hurwitz/ Tech Refactored Podcast https://ngtc.unl.edu/techrefactored Nebraska Law | Bringing Broadband to Rural America https://mediahub.unl.edu/media/14151     Hosted by Garrett Ballengee @gballeng Produced & Edited by Tony Reed @treed1134 Executive Producer Amanda Kieffer website   Follow:  YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support:  Patreon, Donate, Newsletter

Garrett is joined today by Garris Stroud, Founder and Chief Editor of Rural Ed Voices, an organization seeking to elevate the conversation on education opportunities in rural areas and small cities.  In this week's episode, Garrett and Garris discuss colleges of education, school choice, and the role that schools in rural America play in shaping the landscape of opportunity for students.      Garris Stroud @garrisstroud   Rural Ed Voices https://ruraledvoices.org/ @RuralEdVoices     Support:   Patreon: patreon.com/cardinalinstitute Donate: cardinalinstitute.com/donate Newsletter: cardinalinstitute.com/newsletter   Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Hosted by Garrett Ballengee @gballeng   Produced by Tony Reed @treed1134   Executive Producer, Amanda Kieffer