Podcasts about nonpartisan

There's a lot on the docket today. To pull apart the Iran “deal” framework, Mary and Andrew are joined by Tess Bridgeman, an international law expert who served as a legal advisor in the Obama administration through the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. Tess lays out how President Trump's 14-point memorandum of understanding differs from what was brokered in 2015, and what to watch for as negotiations continue. Before she joins, the co-hosts begin by analyzing several examples of what Mary calls the Trump Justice Department's "consistent effort” to avoid judicial review: their refusal to put into a sworn declaration that they won't move forward with the “Anti-Weaponization” fund and a motion to dismiss a Clean Air Act violation lawsuit against Elon Musk's xAI data center in Mississippi. They also tackle a few instances where, contrastingly, the government has positioned itself “on the offense” this week, including an indictment of 15 protesters on a conspiracy charge against ICE and the DHS' intent to build a border wall through a holy landmark atop Mount Cristo Rey in New Mexico. Further reading: Here is the New York Times piece, Mary referred to about the Las Cruces case: A Diocese Tries to Protect Its 29-Foot Jesus From Trump's Border Wall Here is the Just Security tracker that Mary and Andrew mentioned: Immigration Habeas Tracker: Government Obstruction, Judicial Trust, and Accountability Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. You'll also get exclusive bonus content from this and other shows. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to another edition of the Carolina Cabinet, Cumberland County's smartest hour of talk radio. This afternoon, Peter Pappas and Laura Mussler are joined by a particularly outspoken and dynamic guest: Mayor Robert Burns of Monroe, North Carolina. Known for winning one of the state's closest mayoral elections by a coin toss and for his unapologetically conservative leadership style, Robert Burns has become one of the most talked-about local elected officials in North Carolina.In this episode, we dive deep into Monroe's political landscape—from the recent shift to partisan elections and how that drives accountability, to frank discussions about local political "cabal" dynamics, public controversies, and leadership challenges. Robert Burns shares his perspective on transparency, civic responsibility, and why he's considering a run for governor. The conversation doesn't shy away from the tough stuff: votes of no confidence, relationships with the NAACP, debates about development and data centers, and open dialogue on identity and political culture in today's climate.Whether you're passionate about local governance, fascinated by high-stakes political drama, or just want to know what makes Monroe—and North Carolina—tick, this episode delivers insights, candor, and plenty of spirited debate. Buckle up for frank opinions and behind-the-scenes stories you won't hear anywhere else.

After a week of decisions coming in from all corners, Mary and Andrew begin with a court order issued to remove President Trump's name off the Kennedy Center after a failed, last-minute attempt by the administration to stop it from happening. Mary refers to this as “good news in the fight against revisionist history,” which she ties into their second beat: a preliminary injunction issued to restore changes to National Parks that were made after Trump issued an executive order calling for modifications to monuments, parks and memorials to rewrite and censor American history and science. Then, onto a federal judge in Virginia officially blocking the $1.776 Billion slush fund after mixed messaging from the administration about whether it would be set up, plus a decision by Judge Mehta in DC to overturn the Department of Energy's cancellation of $82.1 Million in clean energy grants to “Blue” states across the country. Mary and Andrew also touch on a Massachusetts District Court decision blocking Ken Paxton's lawsuit against the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue. And last up, they read and summarize the eyebrow-raising grand jury transcripts of the “Broadview Six” case out of Chicago, so you don't have to.  Further reading: Here is Judge Mehta's order reinstating the clean energy grants: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.296214/gov.uscourts.mad.296214.41.0.pdf   Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. You'll also get exclusive bonus content from this and other shows. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Heather Nelson joins The Great Battlefield podcast to talk about her career in business education and now building Poll The Vote, a nonpartisan platform connecting people to their elected officials.

Decisions are happening fast — and the consequences are showing. Last week, Trump announced he would nominate Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to the top post at the Justice Department, after Blanche nixed the $1.776 “Anti-Weaponization” fund while keeping the controversial release that shields Trump and his family from any liability. Mary and Andrew highlight the myriad of issues Blanche will need to answer for when a confirmation hearing comes, before moving to the Supreme Court ruling that allows Alabama to adopt a Republican-drawn congressional map eliminating one of only two majority-Black districts in the state. This nullifies a lower court's decision that the map was, in fact, intentionally discriminatory. Next up, the co-hosts review a Rhode Island judge's ruling that invalidated several of Trump's immigration policies, including one that placed a hold on asylum claims globally, causing chaos and uncertainty for many legally trying to obtain asylum claims and green card status.And lastly, a beat on a new executive order stripping job protections from thousands of federal workers, plus continuing litigation over Trump's ballroom. Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. You'll also get exclusive bonus content from this and other shows. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As judges continue to weigh in, President Trump is finding that despite his litigious efforts, he can't always get what he wants. Mary and Andrew begin this week with the latest fallout from his $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, which is now under judicial review after a group of federal judges filed a motion arguing that the original lawsuit that prompted the fund was “itself a fraud on the court.” This prompted the news, first reported by Axios, that the Trump administration would abandon the fund altogether. Mary and Andrew tie this into another instance in which the administration is losing in the courts, with Judge Mehta's decision refusing to dismiss the indictment of Oath Keepers' leader Stewart Rhodes, among others whose sentences were commuted. They then move to a ruling ordering the removal of Trump's name from the Kennedy Center facade, a setback in his attempt to reshape the renowned preforming arts center. And after an update on the criminal case against the Southern Poverty Law Center, Andrew shares some insight into his recent New York Times op-ed which offers a path to stop vindictive prosecutions altogether. Further Reading: Here is Andrew's recent New York Times op ed: This Is How to Stop Trump's Vindictive Prosecutions Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. You'll also get exclusive bonus content from this and other shows. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Morning Xtra with Tug and Los delivers conservative talk on the biggest political, cultural, and news stories of the day. Smart analysis, unapologetic opinions, and real conversations every weekday morning. Every weekday from 6a to 10a! First thing to know: Well, Well, Well, how the tables have turned This is what happens when information is released too quickly Oh Look! Another Chinese Biolab Atlanta's ONLY All Conservative News & Talk Station.: https://www.xtra1063.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary and Andrew begin this week by tackling a decision by a U.S. District Judge to dismiss criminal charges against Kilmar Ábrego García, calling the administration's case against García a vindictive prosecution for challenging his illegal deportation last year. Mary and Andrew couple this topic with a conversation about the “Broadview Six” case, involving a group of Chicago ICE protesters whose criminal case was dropped, similarly, due to misconduct by the DOJ. Then, Mary and Andrew continue a discussion from last week about Trump's $1.776 billion settlement with the IRS — specifically about an addendum to the settlement which grants Trump and "affiliated individuals" extremely broad protections from future prosecutions. They then talk about Carmen Lineberger, a former federal prosecutor indicted for sending unreleased files from the Jack Smith report to her personal email account. Plus, a conversation about a decision by a federal judge who has ordered the White House to comply with the Presidential Records Act, undermining the DOJ's ability to give the administration a legal way to destroy White House records from the second Trump term. This podcast is also available on YouTube at ms.now/mainjustice.  Further reading: HERE is the 'Broadway Six' case transcript    Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. You'll also get exclusive bonus content from this and other shows. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There's a pattern to Andrew and Mary's focus this week: lies, lies and more lies. They gather in-person to tackle a host of issues and to celebrate the release of Andrew's new book, “Liar's Kingdom.” After digging into the book's thesis, they hone in on the biggest news of the week: the $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” created by the Justice Department as part of a settlement agreement which, according to the Attorney General, would provide a non-partisan “systematic process to hear and redress claims of others who suffered weaponization and lawfare.” But as Mary and Andrew note, the real goal is to compensate Trump allies who claim they were wrongfully prosecuted by the former administration. They then shift to the DOJ's lawsuit against the DC Bar to block punishments for Trump officials, including Jeffrey Clark, the former Acting Assistant Attorney General in the final months of Trump's first term. Next, the co-hosts touch on last week's oral arguments in the government's appeal of the ruling against Trump's attempt to blacklist four law firms, before moving to the ongoing litigation in Judge Boasberg's attempt to hold contempt proceedings.   This podcast is also available on YouTube at ms.now/mainjustice. Be sure to check it out: this week features video of Mary and Andrew in-person together. Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. You'll also get exclusive bonus content from this and other shows. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Primaries are taking place or may have already occurred where you are. More elections will take place from now until November so we thought it's a good time to talk about candidate appearances. We'll explain how (c)(3)s can stay nonpartisan while helping to educate voters and candidates by hosting candidates. (c)(4)s, you can of course do everything (c)(3)s can do and much more!  Attorneys for this episode  Quyen Tu  Victor Rivera   Brittany Hacker Leonard    Shownotes  Why is this important?  C3s are a trusted source of information and have a crucial role to play in election seasons, often in touch with the local community more, have an important role to play in bringing the candidates and their platforms to the voters, and also bringing information about the community and the organization's work to the candidates.   Because of this, we often get questions about c3s holding debates, forums, site visits from candidates as ways to educate both the voters and the candidates themselves—and all of this great work can be c3 safe.     Remember the general rule: c3s cannot support or oppose candidates for office   Doesn't mean that you can't talk to candidates, or host candidates  Different reasons you may have a candidate appear:   In their capacity as a candidate: individually or debate/forum  In another capacity: expert in their field, current elected official, celebrity  They just show up at a public event   Rules will be different depending on why they are there!  Remember: document interactions with candidates, use disclaimers, and keep good records  7(c)(3)s holding candidate debates and fora  Examples: CA gov, D.C. mayoral primary  Do:   Cover a broad range of issues  Nonpartisan, independent questions and moderator  Invite all viable candidates   Make it open to the public for a diverse audience   Don't:  Ask for pledges  Give anyone special treatment   Only ask about your organization's narrow area of focus   Continue to hold the "debate" if only one candidate can attend   (c)(3)s hosting a candidate because of their candidacy (not debate format)  Follow the same rules as debate—all invited and given equal opportunities in similar settings   (c)(3)s hosting candidate for non-election reason  Do not need to invite every candidate   Make sure the candidate knows what capacity they are there in (which hat they are wearing)  No fundraising or campaigning   Use disclaimers!    (c)(4)s and PACs hosting candidates  Can host just one candidate in their capacity as candidate—will be c4's secondary purpose activity   Can give site visits to just preferred candidates, can ask for pledges   PACs may also host or sponsor candidate fundraising events  Foundations: can fund (c)(3)s hosting nonpartisan candidate debates or appearances    Resources   Rules of the Game  Candidate Appearances: Foundations Can Host or Fund Nonpartisan Candidate Appearances  Hosting Candidates at Charitable Events: Ensuring Candidate Appearances Remain Nonpartisan   Nonpartisan Candidate Education: How 501(c)(3)s Can Talk to Candidates During an Election Year  Sample 501(c)(3) Organizational Policy for Election Season  501(c)(4) Partisan Activities 

Host Radell Lewis breaks down Ohio's 2026 State Auditor race between Republican Frank LaRose, Democrat Annette Blackwell, and Libertarian write-in Aidan Jeffery, then runs through a wild week of Ohio political news on Purple Political Breakdown. This episode covers why the Auditor's office matters (hint: it's the only statewide office with the power to catch public officials misusing your tax dollars), how current Auditor Keith Faber's run for Attorney General is part of what reporters are calling a "musical chairs" pattern among term-limited Ohio Republicans, and whether LaRose's Secretary of State record (including the 2023 Issue 1 reversal, a Hatch Act complaint, and 1,200 alleged voter fraud cases referred to the DOJ in late 2025) matches the job description of Ohio's chief accountability officer. On the other side of the aisle, Maple Heights Mayor Annette Blackwell pitches 16 years of accounting experience and a documented fiscal turnaround that won the Auditor's own Clean Audit Award three years running. In the news roundup: Ohio quietly adds "Trump Wildlife Area" as an official name through administrative rule, podcaster Myron Gaines performs a Sieg Heil salute on the steps of Ohio University's Memorial Auditorium in the first real test of Senate Bill 1, Columbus restaurant La Chatelaine cancels a Casey Putsch fundraiser over his comments about Hitler and Nazis, Governor Mike DeWine honors his late father's role liberating Dachau, a 2019 Bexley police report resurfaces on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton, Signal Ohio reporter Jake Zuckerman exposes Ohio nursing homes dumping medically fragile patients at homeless shelters, and a DraftKings-linked super PAC places over $1.1 million in ads backing Ohio Republican legislative primary candidates. Nonpartisan political analysis. Solutions-focused. No corporate spin. Keywords: Ohio auditor 2026, Frank LaRose, Annette Blackwell, Ohio primary May 5 2026, Amy Acton police report, Vivek Ramaswamy, Casey Putsch, Myron Gaines Ohio University, Trump Wildlife Area, DraftKings super PAC Ohio, Ohio nursing homes, Mike DeWine, Ohio 2026 election, Purple Political Breakdown, Radell Lewis.Standard Resource Links & RecommendationsThe following organizations and platforms represent valuable resources for balanced political discourse and democratic participation: PODCAST NETWORKCheck Out the Podcast Website: www.purplepoliticalbreakdown.comALIVE Podcast Network - Check out the ALIVE Network where you can catch a lot of great podcasts like my own, led by amazing Black voices. Link: https://alivepodcastnetwork.com/ CONVERSATION PLATFORMSHeadOn - A platform for contentious yet productive conversations. It's a place for hosted and unguided conversations where you can grow a following and enhance your conversations with AI features. Link: https://app.headon.ai/Living Room Conversations - Building bridges through meaningful dialogue across political divides. Link: https://livingroomconversations.org/ UNITY MOVEMENTSUs United - A movement for unity that challenges Americans to step out of their bubbles and connect across differences. Take the Unity Pledge, join monthly "30 For US" conversation calls, wear purple (the color of unity), and participate in National Unity Day every second Saturday in December. Their programs include the Sheriff Unity Network and Unity Seats at sports events, proving that shared values are stronger than our differences. Link: https://www.us-united.org/ BALANCED NEWS & INFORMATIONOtherWeb - An AI-based platform that filters news without paywalls, clickbait, or junk, helping you access diverse, unbiased content. Link: https://otherweb.com/ VOTING REFORM & DEMOCRACYEqual Vote Coalition & STAR Voting - Advocating for voting methods that ensure every vote counts equally, eliminating wasted votes and strategic voting. Link: https://www.equal.vote/starFuture is Now Coalition (FiNC) - A grassroots movement working to restore democracy through transparency, accountability, and innovative technology while empowering citizens and transforming American political discourse. Link: https://futureis.org/ POLITICAL ENGAGEMENTIndependent Center - Resources for independent political thinking and civic engagement. Link: https://www.independentcenter.org/ GET DAILY NEWSText 844-406-INFO (844-406-4636) with code "purple" to receive quick, unbiased, factual news delivered to your phone every morning via Informed (https://informed.now)Check Out the Unfuck America Tour & National Ground Game: https://www.nationalgroundgame.com/ ALL LINKShttps://linktr.ee/purplepoliticalbreakdownThe Purple Political Breakdown is committed to fostering productive political dialogue that transcends partisan divides. We believe in the power of conversation, balanced information, and democratic participation to build a stronger society. Our mission: "Political solutions without political bias."Subscribe, rate, and share if you believe in purple politics - where we find common ground in the middle! Also if you want to be apart of the community and the conversation make sure to Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/ptPAsZtHC9

With direct democracy becoming more important than ever in this political climate, we thought it was a good time to revisit ballot measures. From local park bonds to important state constitutional amendments, ballot measures have become important tools for policymaking, and nonprofits often play a huge role in supporting and opposing them. On this episode we do a deep dive on the details and how you can get involved.   Attorneys for this episode Susan Finkle Sourlis Tim Mooney Natalie Ossenfort          Shownotes What Are Ballot Measures, and Why Are They Important? ·      According to Ballotpedia, as of April 5, 2026, 87 statewide ballot measures have been certified for the ballot in 35 states for elections in 2026. ·      These initiatives will ask voters to weigh in on topics like redistricting, campaign finance, state budgets, school funding, the state judiciary, and more. ·      Ballot measures are important advocacy tool to create policy change. They are a form of direct democracy.   The Law: Internal Revenue Code ·      Ballot measures = pieces of legislation. If they pass, they become law. ·      As a result, advocacy for or against the passage of a measure = lobbying (more specifically, direct lobbying since the public serves as a legislative body during the ballot measure process). ·      Reminder: public charities can lobby, but they need to stay within Internal Revenue Code set lobbying limits. o   Default test: Insubstantial Part Test o   Optional test for most public charities: 501(h) Expenditure Test ·      Under either test, one must express a view on legislation for a communication to be considered lobbying. ·      Here are some ballot measure activities that would be considered lobbying: o   Asking voters to vote yes or no on a measure o   Posting social media messages either supporting or opposing a measure o   Raising money earmarked to defeat or win a measure o   Preparing materials that support or oppose a measure o   Targeting outreach to voters that are likely to support or oppose a measure in alignment with your organization's position   The Law: State / Local-Level Campaign Finance Considerations ·      The ballot measure process varies by state. o   Some states only allow legislatively referred measures. o   Others (like OH, MI, AZ, and CA) allow citizens to initiate statewide ballot measures. ·      It is essential that if your organization is planning to conduct activity surrounding a ballot measure, you abide by state law. ·      Unlike the IRS, most states do not regulate ballot measure advocacy as lobbying, but rather this type of advocacy falls under state campaign finance law. o   Some states require reporting if an individual (or nonprofit) hits a certain spending threshold related to their ballot measure advocacy (hello, Texas!). Others require committee formation and registration if certain thresholds are met or if organizations join forces to advocate in support or opposition of a measure. o   States also often require specifically worded 'paid for by' and other disclaimers when advocating on a measure. o   Many states have already passed or are considering legislation related to ballot measure fundraising and who can contribute to ballot measure campaigns. Check your state's laws for details. ·      IMPORTANT: Consult with counsel before embarking on a ballot measure campaign, so they can determine if your organization might need to register and report with state officials (or potentially form a committee). ·      If a committee already exists and is in alignment with your organization on a measure, it may be possible to join forces and minimize the reporting burdens on your nonprofit. Life of a ballot Initiative – signature gathering to passage to enforcement ·      Before a ballot measure ever appears on the ballot, there's a long runway of activity—and for nonprofits, many of these activities count as lobbying for 501(c)(3) public charities and need to be counted against an organization's lobbying limits. Citizen-Led Initiatives 1.    Pre-signature organizing 2.    Drafting the measure language 3.    Signature gathering 4.    Qualification for the ballot 5.    Campaign phase 6.    Election 7.    Post-election enforcement & implementation Legislature-Referred Measures 1.    Legislature drafts and passes referral 2.    Measure placed on the ballot 3.    Campaign phase 4.    Election 5.    Post-election enforcement & implementation Key Compliance Notes When does lobbying start? For citizen initiatives: typically, when signatures are circulated For referrals: at the legislative consideration stage and when the measure is submitted to voters   Pre-signature activity Research Coalition-building Issue education   Drafting language Usually preparation for lobbying Becomes lobbying if tied closely to an active campaign effort   "Specific legislation" trigger Once a measure is clearly defined and advancing, it's treated like legislation for IRS lobbying purposes   State law overlay Petition rules, disclaimers, reporting, and pay-per-signature bans vary widely Federal tax law ≠ state election law (you have to comply with both)   After the Election Implementation & rulemaking Agencies interpret and apply the law Nonprofits can engage in administrative advocacy (not lobbying for tax code purposes, but could trigger state registration and reporting)   Public education Explaining what passed (or failed) and what it means Must remain nonpartisan if done by a 501(c)(3)   Litigation Defending or challenging the validity of a passed measure in court Not lobbying Permissible for 501(c)(3) organizations     Working Together ·      Many ballot measure activities happen in coalitions. ·      These coalitions could include different types of nonprofit organizations. Some may be 501(c)(3) public charities, while others could have 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), or other tax-exempt status. o   Remember, 501(c)(4)s and 501(c)(5)s have unlimited lobbying limits—this makes them a great ally in ballot measure work. ·      A 501(c)(3), when engaging in ballot measure work, must do so in a nonpartisan way. o   Some examples of nonpartisan ballot measure work can include: circulating petitions, endorsing measures, registering voters, and more. o   It's important not to align your 501(c)(3)s position on a ballot measure with a candidate or political party. o   They should also avoid targeting voters based on how they think the voters will vote for candidates on the ballot. ·      All joint lobbying activities, conducted with 501(c)(3)s and other types of organizations, should remain NONPARTISAN and not include suggestions of whom to vote for in candidate elections. Ballot Measure Advocacy Funding ·      Because ballot measure advocacy is often considered lobbying, private foundations cannot earmark funds for this activity, but public (community foundations) can. ·      Consider approaching community foundations and individual donors to support your work. o   BE AWARE: Some states are considering or have already passed legislation that prohibits foreign national contributions to ballot measure campaigns (could kick in if your organization receives donations from foreign sources). o   Any donations earmarked for lobbying are not tax-deductible to the donor.   Resources ·      Seize the initiative ·      Ballot Measures and Public Charities: Yes, You Can Influence That Vote! ·      Ballot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC) Trends Watcher ·      BISC: 2026 Ballot Measures

Our Constitutional Republic is dependent on an independent and trustworthy Judiciary to maintain an effective balance of power with the Executive and Legislative branches. With pressures and threats to the safety of judges at the state and federal level at an all-time high, retired Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor (R) and former Justice Mike Donnelly (D) have teamed up in a bipartisan effort to speak up for the judicial system and the fundamental importance of the Rule of Law that underpins it. The Justices will also discuss what everyday Americans can do to support the Rule of Law in their communities.rnrnJoin us at the City Club for a conversation, moderated by Sound of Ideas host Stephanie Haney, that will focus on the efforts of the Justices to organize judges and lawyers from across Ohio to fully live out their oaths to the Constitution and the practice of law during these turbulent times.

Here's your local news for Tuesday, April 7, 2026:We share the latest on today's nonpartisan spring election,Find out what's next for prison reform advocates after Governor Evers moved to restore Wisconsin's commutations process,Predict how the war in Iran could unsettle the global agriculture industry,Talk cold brew with a Madison food industry veteran,Examine why males in many bird species are so colorful,And much more.

In a moment when nearly everything feels polarized, Benji Backer is trying to carve out a different path, one where caring about the natural world isn't a partisan issue. As the founder of Nature Is Nonpartisan, he's bringing together voices from across the political spectrum who might disagree on climate policy, but still share a desire to preserve public lands, wildlife, and the outdoors.  Can conservation still serve as common ground in a divided country? What does it take to make environmentalism resonate beyond traditional audiences? Is a bipartisan movement possible in today's political climate? Guests:  Benji Backer, Founder and CEO, Nature is Nonpartisan Skyler Zunk, Founder and CEO, Energy Right  For show notes, transcript, and related links, visit ClimateOne.org/podcasts. Highlights: 00:00 – Intro 03:30 – Benji Backer on his relationship with nature 05:54 – Benji Backer on how Nature is Nonpartisan came to be 09:29 – Benji Backer on making conservation culturally relevant  16:44 – Benji Backer on the hard work of moving policy forward  21:19 – Benji Backer on why political leanings are labeled on staff page 24:16 – Benji Backer on bringing more people into the tent 31:45 – Benji Backer on where there is bipartisan support 34:30 – Benji Backer on where his work has had the most impact  39:23 – Skyler Zunk on his time working for the first Trump administration 44:31 – Skyler Zunk on a farmer who has solar panels on the sheep farm 49:26 – Skyler Zunk on the importance of being able to relate to locals ********** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today at patreon.com/ClimateOne.  Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a moment when nearly everything feels polarized, Benji Backer is trying to carve out a different path, one where caring about the natural world isn't a partisan issue. As the founder of Nature Is Nonpartisan, he's bringing together voices from across the political spectrum who might disagree on climate policy, but still share a desire to preserve public lands, wildlife, and the outdoors.  Can conservation still serve as common ground in a divided country? What does it take to make environmentalism resonate beyond traditional audiences? Is a bipartisan movement possible in today's political climate? Guests:  Benji Backer, Founder and CEO, Nature is Nonpartisan Skyler Zunk, Founder and CEO, Energy Right  For show notes, transcript, and related links, visit ⁠ClimateOne.org/podcasts⁠. Highlights: 00:00 – Intro 03:30 – Benji Backer on his relationship with nature 05:54 – Benji Backer on how Nature is Nonpartisan came to be 09:29 – Benji Backer on making conservation culturally relevant  16:44 – Benji Backer on the hard work of moving policy forward  21:19 – Benji Backer on why political leanings are labeled on staff page 24:16 – Benji Backer on bringing more people into the tent 31:45 – Benji Backer on where there is bipartisan support 34:30 – Benji Backer on where his work has had the most impact  39:23 – Skyler Zunk on his time working for the first Trump administration 44:31 – Skyler Zunk on a farmer who has solar panels on the sheep farm 49:26 – Skyler Zunk on the importance of being able to relate to locals ********** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠Patreon⁠, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today at ⁠patreon.com/ClimateOne⁠.  Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s "Closer Look," in the final hours of the Georgia Legislative Session, we hear about two pieces of legislation that could have a significant impact on the way consumers go through the referral process when choosing senior living communities (SB 439) and make elections nonpartisan in Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, and Clayton counties beginning in 2028. We speak to DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston and Catie Ramp, the President and CEO of the Georgia Senior Living Association. Plus, we hear from Peabody and Emmy Award-winning director, writer, and producer Rita Coburn and Dr. Karida Brown, an American sociologist, author, professor, and public intellectual who serves as professor of Sociology at Emory. They discuss the new PBS documentary, "W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With A Cause." The two-hour film, slated to air on WABE TV on May 28th at 9 pm, chronicles Du Bois' life of nearly 100 years from 1868 -1963.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the 2026 "Year of the Fire Horse" manifesting as a global "Warhammer Horse"? In this episode, we decode the transition from the Nian to the Longma—Eastern dragon-horse entities of fire—and their startling parallels in modern current events. We analyze the esoteric symbolism of NASA's Artemis moon mission and its connection to a goddess related to horses and fire. Furthermore, we examine the escalating conflict with Iran through the lens of ancient archetypes, from the burning of Baal/Moloch effigies to the mythic battles of Thor and Apollo against the Great Serpent. From Ragnarök to Armageddon, learn why the horse remains the ultimate symbol of the final battle. Also learn the history of the Four Horses of the Apocalypse and origins of Chinese New Year symbolism.*The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, you can subscribe below underneath the show description.

WMAL GUEST: JONATHAN ALEXANDRE (Legislative Counsel, Maryland Family Institute) on Senate Bill 4, which threatens the tax-exempt status of churches and religious nonprofits that engage in candidate-related speech. WEBSITE: MarylandFamily.org READ: MFI Opposes SB 4 'Keeping Charities Nonpartisan Act' Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Monday, February 16, 2026 / 8 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Policy Chats, Professor Jennifer Gaudette joins host Dori Pham to discuss polarization in local politics and how voters make decisions in nonpartisan elections with limited information. She explains how the absence of party labels and the decline of local news push voters to rely on shortcuts like endorsements.Professor Gaudette shares her research showing that police union endorsements are increasingly read as a conservative signal in mayoral and city council races, while teachers union endorsements often signal a more liberal candidate. The conversation also highlights why firefighters unions do not create the same polarized reactions, and what that reveals about endorsements tied to expertise versus ideology.The episode closes with reflections on campaign strategy, the future of nonpartisan local democracy, and how local journalism and short-form social media shape political trust and misinformation.Topics Covered:- How voters decide in nonpartisan local elections with limited information- Why police union endorsements have become more polarized over time- Endorsements as “information shortcuts” when party labels are absent- How local candidates strategically pursue targeted endorsements- The case for (and controversy around) partisan versus nonpartisan elections

Why aren't we taking a partisan approach when discussing the issue of immigration? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Immigration The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Unifying a Partisan Nation Around NatureNature is Nonpartisan is a bipartisan, solutions-focused coalition working to unite Americans around shared environmental goals. By fostering cross-party support for conservation and land stewardship, the organization hopes to reframe climate action as a unifying national priority rather than a partisan fight. Establishing Nature as Middle GroundIn recent years, environmental politics in the U.S. have been paralyzed by partisan gridlock, stalling climate progress. Nature is Nonpartisan aims to break this deadlock by reframing environmentalism around common-sense values, such as safety, access to the outdoors, and community well-being. By engaging Americans across the political spectrum, the coalition seeks to depoliticize climate solutions and ground them in conservation principles that resonate more universally: protecting public lands, supporting disaster-affected communities, and ensuring access to clean air and water.This approach gained national attention in early 2025 when founder and CFO Benji Backer, alongside coalition members, briefed White House staff on nonpartisan conservation strategies. A meeting scheduled for fifteen minutes extended well over an hour, ultimately influencing President Trump's unexpected June 2025 signing of the “Make America Beautiful Again” executive order. The order focuses on conserving public lands, safeguarding wildlife, and securing clean drinking water. Backer underscored that wildfires, drought, and ecosystem collapse don't just affect the environment; they threaten billions in outdoor-recreation revenue and undermine the hunting, fishing, and farming traditions valued across political lines.Nature is Nonpartisan's narrative emphasizes that environmental protection is not only about climate, but also the American landscape, economic security, and the natural heritage millions rely on and cherish.Conservation as Climate ActionNature is Nonpartisan's work centers on four key conservation areas: managing forests to reduce wildfire risk, enhancing water quality and improving water infrastructure, enhancing natural disaster resilience, and promoting responsible land stewardship. Together, these priorities offer a practical, bipartisan path to protect ecosystems and communities most vulnerable to climate change.Overall, emphasizing conservation provides a widely palatable, bipartisan entry point into climate action. By restoring ecosystems, sequestering carbon, and protecting biodiversity, these efforts simultaneously strengthen local economies — particularly in rural regions dependent on recreation and natural-resource industries — while building long-term climate resilience. The Tension Beneath the SurfaceDespite its promise, Nature is Nonpartisan's work exists within a fraught political landscape. Environmentalism and conservatism are still often framed as ideologically incompatible, a perception the organization works actively to undo. While the “Make America Beautiful Again” executive order signals progress, critics argue it may be more symbolic than substantive, especially given President Trump's longstanding dismissal of climate science. Some fear the order could serve more as a political performance than a genuine environmental advancement.These tensions point to the broader challenge: decades of conservative skepticism toward climate science have made it difficult to ensure follow-through on policy. Nature is Nonpartisan hopes to continue confronting this distrust by reframing environmental protection around nationally shared values — family, future generations, clean water, clean air, and access to the outdoors — whether one is a Midwestern farmworker or a city resident.The Power of Words and Bipartisan PolicyCommunications Director Amelia Joy emphasizes that language is crucial to keeping these efforts genuinely nonpartisan. Because the word “climate” has become politically charged, Nature is Nonpartisan often avoids leading with it. Instead, Joy notes that many of the organization's core priorities, from wildfire prevention to natural disaster resilience, are climate issues, but by centering them in everyday terms, the coalition can build durable, cross-party support that can outlast any single administration.Policy Director Maya Cohn adds that progress doesn't have to depend on who is in office. She emphasizes that policy advances can happen under any president or Congress if people are willing to work across political lines. For her, bridging divides and having honest conversations, even with those you disagree with, is the only way to create long-lasting environmental solutions.About the GuestsAmelia Joy is the Communications Director at Nature is Nonpartisan and identifies as Conservative. Maya Cohn is the Policy Director at Nature is Nonpartisan and identifies as Progressive.ResourcesAbout — Nature Is NonpartisanEstablishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission – The White HouseMake America Beautiful Again — Nature Is NonpartisanFurther ReadingQ&A: Meet the conservative working to make environmentalism nonpartisanFraming Climate Action as Patriotic and Status Quo-Friendly Increases Liberals' and Conservatives' Belief in Climate ChangeHow this group got Trump to sign a pro-environment executive order - The Washington Post  For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/unifying-a-partisan-nation-around-nature-with-amelia-joy-and-maya-cohn/

In this episode, we're answering questions from organizations about voter registration, which is, of course, timely given the upcoming midterm election season. Since these activities occur within an electoral framework, it's crucial to keep various legal aspects in mind while crafting and executing your voter registration campaigns. We'll discuss the key considerations related to nonprofit tax law, federal election law, and state law.  Attorneys for this episode Sarah Efthymiou  Susan Finkle Sourlis   Monika Graham   Voter Registration   501(c)(3) nonprofits are effective voter registration advocates because they are trusted, nonpartisan organizations with deep ties to their communities, especially populations that are often underrepresented in the electoral process. By conducting voter registration drives, they remove practical barriers to voting, help people navigate confusing rules and deadlines, and expand equitable access to civic participation. This work strengthens democracy without endorsing candidates or parties and aligns with nonprofit missions by empowering communities to have a voice in the policies that affect their lives.  Why are c3s effective voter registration advocates?   Deep trust and credibility.   Direct access to underrepresented voters.   Nonpartisan by law.   Education + assistance.   Long-term relationship building.   Why host voter registration programs?   Registration is the biggest barrier to voting.   They increase participation and equity.   They normalize civic engagement.   They strengthen democracy (without being partisan).   They align with many nonprofit missions.   Federal Tax Law:   Federal tax law allows 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to engage in voter registration and education activities, as long as those efforts are conducted in a strictly nonpartisan manner. Understanding these rules is essential to ensure compliance while encouraging civic participation and protecting the organization's tax-exempt status.  I'm a 501(c)(3) public charity. How can I engage in VR without jeopardizing my status?  501(c)(3) public charities must conduct all voter registration activities in a strictly nonpartisan manner.   Voter registration activities should be designed to encourage participation by all eligible individuals.   Any targeting of voter registration efforts must be based on neutral, nonpartisan criteria.   Organizations should exercise caution when connecting issue advocacy with voter registration activities.     I've heard that there are bad actors out there trying to "catch" c3's doing something wrong. What can we do to protect ourselves?  Prepare for challenging questions by having a trusted partner ("buddy system") during voter engagement.   Consider having a point person designated to handle tricky situations and/or suspicious questions.   Invest in thorough training for all staff and volunteers involved in voter registration efforts.   Federal Election Law  Under federal election law and the rules governing 501(c)(3) organizations, charities and other tax-exempt nonprofits may engage in voter registration and other civic engagement activities as long as they remain strictly nonpartisan and do not support or oppose any candidate or political party. This limitation stems from the Johnson Amendment and IRS regulations, which prohibit political campaign intervention but explicitly allow educational and voter registration efforts that help people participate in the electoral process withneutrality.   What are some FEC rules we should be aware of to stay in compliance?   Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations strictly prohibit coordination of voter registration activities with candidates, political parties, or campaigns.   Since the Citizens United decision, independent expenditures related to voter registration and partisan targeting are allowed for 501(c)(4) organizations but remain prohibited for 501(c)(3)s.   Under no circumstances can 501(c)(3) organizations offer payments or anything of value—including food, gifts, or incentives like pizza—in exchange for voter registration.   State Regulations  State laws play an important role in shaping how 501(c)(3) organizations conduct voter registration activities. While federal law allows nonprofits to engage in nonpartisan voter registration, each state sets its own rules around registration procedures, deadlines, training requirements, and handling of voter information. Understanding and complying withapplicable state laws is essential for 501(c)(3)s to conduct voter registration safely, legally, and effectively.  Do we need to watch out for anything on the state level?  Yes, potentially. Voter registration rules and requirements can vary widely by state, so it's essential to consult your state elections office for the most accurate and up-to-date guidance.   States often have specific legal requirements for organizations conducting voter registration drives.   Proper submission of completed voter registration forms is critical for validating registrations and maintaining compliance.   Are there any state developments to be aware of?  There is a growing divide among states between those actively expanding voter access and those implementing increasingly restrictive voting laws.   Several states are pursuing more restrictive policies that risk disenfranchising eligible voters by imposing stricter identification requirements or limiting mail-in voting access.   Funding Sources  Funding sources can affect how 501(c)(3) organizations conduct voter registration activities. While nonprofits may use private or foundation funds for nonpartisan voter registration, certain funding sources—such as government grants or restricted donations—may impose additional conditions or limitations. Understanding these funding rules helps ensure voter registration efforts remain compliant, nonpartisan, and consistent with both legal requirements and funder expectations.    What funds can 501(c)(3) organizations use to fund VR efforts?   Both public and private foundations can provide vital funding to 501(c)(3) organizations conducting voter registration drives, supporting nonpartisan civic engagement and expanding democratic participation.   Under IRS rules, private foundations cannot earmark grants exclusively for voter registration drives unless they comply with the detailed requirements of 26 CFR 4945(f):  The organization sponsoring or conducting the voter registration drive (the sponsoring organization) must be a 501(c)(3) organization  The registration activities of the sponsoring organization must be nonpartisan, conducted in five or more states, and occur over more than one election cycle  A contribution for such activities may not be subject to conditions requiring use in a specific state (or political subdivision) or in a specific election cycle  At least 85 percent of the sponsoring organization's income must be directly spent on activities relating to the purpose for which it was organized and operated, and  At least 85 percent of the sponsoring organization's support, other than gross investment income, must be contributed by exempt organizations, the general public, or government units; no more than 25 percent of its support may come from any one exempt organization; and no more than 50 percent of its support may come from gross investment income (interest, dividends, or other investment-related income)    Resources  Want to Conduct or Fund a Voter Registration Drive?  The Rules of the Game: A Guide to Election-Related Activities for 501(c)(3) Organizations  Voter Registration Rules for Private Foundations  Practical Guidance: Nonprofit Voter Assistance Series  Nonprofits, Elections, & the Fine Art of Remaining Nonpartisan  United States Election Assistance Commission  Vote 411   

12 months ago, we laid the groundwork to evaluate President Donald Trump's second term as objectively as possible.Our goal was to take a few objective metrics to judge a president's success: Things like economic data, promises kept, and the sentiment of American citizens. Given how much analysis and opinion we engage with every day, we thought we could refer back to these benchmarks periodically as a nearly unimpeachable way to judge the president's performance.When I think back to this time 12 months ago, one big detail stands out: I wasn't here. In fact, with the timing of a true troll, my son was born on the day of Trump's inauguration. Just days before, we had published the set of metrics we'd use to evaluate the president. It was the last major piece we published before I stepped away from Tanglefor a month.Now, here we are. Trump's second term is now one year old (just like my son), and I'm back in the driver's seat, ready to use the metrics we developed last year to evaluate the Trump administration. Before we get started, I want to give a quick note about our process. The benchmarks we chose to track are mostly hard metrics, but with a few qualitative assessments. We wanted to include things that are easy to measure (like gas prices) as well as some things that take a little more effort to evaluate (like whether the administration has kept a promise or not). Ad-free podcasts are here!To listen to this podcast ad-free, and to enjoy our subscriber only premium content, go to ReadTangle.com to sign up!You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.This podcast was hosted by: Isaac Saul and audio edited and mixed by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75.Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Lindsey Knuth, Bailey Saul, and Audrey Moorehead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After three decades working to deliver easy, fast and cost-effective patient experiences through technology, Ryan Howells is more optimistic about the future than he's ever been before.At a time when healthcare has been at the center of polarizing and partisan politics, Ryan is focused on an area foundational to digital health that he says draws consensus across party lines: data exchange and interoperability. Freely moving data can unlock innovation in technology, payment models, and regulation to make healthcare work better for everyone, and Ryan is extremely encouraged by the openness to ideas and volume of activity he's seeing from the second Trump Administration in these areas.As Principal at Leavitt Partners since 2015, Ryan collaborates with the private sector, the White House, Congress, HHS, and the VHA to improve health care nationwide. For the past ten years, he has also led the CARIN Alliance, a bi-partisan, multi-sector alliance uniting industry leaders to advance the adoption of consumer-directed exchange across the U.S.In January 2023, Ryan joined Keith Figlioli on the podcast to discuss the myriad of new possibilities emerging in healthcare as a result of better access to data. In this episode, he recounts the progress and obstacles since that conversation, but more importantly, helps unpack the flurry of new activity.Topics Ryan and Keith covered include:ACCESS & TEMPO. These are the latest examples of two new government programs that Ryan believes will remove barriers to innovation. ACCESS is a CMS initiative that now makes it possible for technology companies to bill Medicare directly for digital health services – and get paid only when patients achieve specific, measurable clinical outcomes. Ryan explains how ACCESS is a breakthrough for transparency and has the potential to change contracting for digital health vendors as health system may now ask to share risk. TEMPO is a program from the FDA that complements ACCESS by allowing participating companies to bypass traditional device clearance processes through “enforcement discretion,” provided they share real time data with the FDA. Ryan explains how this oversight lowers cost and complexity for startups and accelerates the path to market for new digital health solutions.Removing administrative roadblocks. In early 2025, Ryan's team at Leavitt Partners published a paper titled, “Kill the Clipboard” that offered recommendations to cut administrative costs, lower the burden on consumers and providers, and modernize the health care data exchange ecosystem. Ryan discussed recommendations like the need for stronger enforcement of information blocking rules and suggestions for the government to change its certification program to focus on APIs, versus functionality of EHRs. He explained how these things would allow health systems to control their own data, build cloud-based workflows, and integrate with payers and innovative companies more easily.Linchpins for data liquidity. Ryan believes that achieving true data liquidity in healthcare requires three foundational elements: a cloud-based data store, an API endpoint, and robust digital identity credentials. With these in place, he says organizations can exchange data securely and efficiently, supporting everything from public health to quality measurement and pharmacy exchange. He says these are the linchpins to finally achieve the data liquidity needed for innovation, interoperability, and improved patient outcomes.To hear Ryan and Keith discuss these topics and more, listen to this episode of Healthcare is Hard: A Podcast for

This week, host Margaret Walls talks with Benji Backer about attracting nonpartisan support for environmental conservation. Backer is the founder and CEO of Nature Is Nonpartisan—a nonprofit organization focused on redefining environmental issues as nonpartisan—and serves on the board of the American Conservation Coalition. In this episode, Backer discusses his approach to environmental issues by describing his conservation work, which includes helping to stop a recent policy proposal that aimed to sell public lands, aiding in the creation of a domestic conservation caucus in the Senate, and assisting in forming the Make America Beautiful Again Commission. He also speaks to the importance of accurately communicating the risks of climate change; people connecting with their land; and promoting conservation at all levels, including local, state, federal, and corporate. References and recommendations: “The Conservative Environmentalist: Common Sense Solutions for a Sustainable Future” by Benji Backer; https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/730880/the-conservative-environmentalist-by-benji-backer/ Nature Is Nonpartisan; https://natureisnonpartisan.org/ American Conservation Coalition; https://acc.eco/ “The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey” by Candice Millard; https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/114422/the-river-of-doubt-by-candice-millard/ Subscribe to stay up to date on news and research from Resources for the Future: https://www.rff.org/subscribe/

Read the full transcript here. What explains fearing nuclear more than the harms we tolerate from fossil fuels? Can we judge energy risk by evidence rather than headlines? What mix of firm power and renewables actually keeps costs low and lights on? How much should we pay up front for safety, and who decides? Do iconic disasters outweigh statistics in policy debates? What did past build-outs teach us about standardization, permitting, and getting big projects done? Can trust be built without hype or spin? Is government-scale coordination required, or can markets deliver at scale? How should long-lived waste be weighed against climate and air-pollution deaths now? What would a realistic near-term plan look like if we stopped treating tech choices as tribal identity? Isabelle Boemeke is an author, philanthropist, and entrepreneur who advocates global clean energy. Boemeke is also known as Isodope, the digital persona on a mission to 'make nuclear cool.' She is the Founder and Executive Director of Save Clean Energy and board member of Nature is Nonpartisan and Nuclear Scaling Initiative, where she works at the intersection of policy, culture, and technology to accelerate pragmatic solutions. She delivered a TED Talk that has been viewed nearly 2 million times, led a grassroots campaign that helped delay the closure of California's Diablo Canyon Power Plant, and is a TIME Magazine “Next Generation Leader”. Links: Isabelle's book: Rad Future Isabelle's TED Talk Staff Spencer Greenberg — Host + Director Ryan Kessler — Producer + Technical Lead WeAmplify — Transcriptionists Igor Scaldini — Marketing Consultant Music Broke for Free Josh Woodward Lee Rosevere Quiet Music for Tiny Robots wowamusic zapsplat.com Affiliates Clearer Thinking GuidedTrack Mind Ease Positly UpLift [Read more]

A second ballot initiative that would ensure Montana's judicial elections are nonpartisan is advancing. The initiative was tied up in court when its backers and Attorney General Austin Knudsen disagreed over its wording.

Bill Gates recently claimed that protecting nature or improving human health is an either-or choice, but former national leaders like Russ Feingold, a retired U.S. Senator, and Mary Robinson, former Ireland President, disagree. As chair of the Global Steering Committee of the Campaign for Nature, a nonprofit organization uniting prominent politicians in support of nature protection, Feingold emphasizes that supporting both nature and people is essential, and that these are not mutually exclusive goals. On this episode of Mongabay's podcast, Feingold discusses the campaign's mission and why he believes nonpartisan conservation efforts are essential. " We need to work as citizens — not as Democrats or Republicans — but as citizens, to say 'Whatever else you think, let's do this together,'" he says. The Mongabay Newscast is available on major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify, and all previous episodes are accessible at our website's podcast page. Please take a minute to let us know what you think of our podcast, here. Mike DiGirolamo is a host & associate producer for Mongabay based in Sydney. He co-hosts and edits the Mongabay Newscast. Find him on LinkedIn and Bluesky. Image Credit: Former Senator Russ Feingold. Image courtesy of the Campaign for Nature.  —— Timecodes (00:00) Former Senator Russ Feingold (03:48) The Campaign for Nature (08:56) Feingold's connection to nature (14:55) Concerns regarding Indigenous rights in 30x30 (27:13) Thoughts on Bill Gates (29:15) Fighting authoritarianism and oligarchy (33:48) What people can do

Unifying a Partisan Nation Around NatureNature is Nonpartisan is a bipartisan, solutions-focused coalition working to unite Americans around shared environmental goals. By fostering cross-party support for conservation and land stewardship, the organization hopes to reframe climate action as a unifying national priority rather than a partisan fight. Establishing Nature as Middle GroundIn recent years, environmental politics in the U.S. have been paralyzed by partisan gridlock, stalling climate progress. Nature is Nonpartisan aims to break this deadlock by reframing environmentalism around common-sense values, such as safety, access to the outdoors, and community well-being. By engaging Americans across the political spectrum, the coalition seeks to depoliticize climate solutions and ground them in conservation principles that resonate more universally: protecting public lands, supporting disaster-affected communities, and ensuring access to clean air and water.This approach gained national attention in early 2025 when founder and CFO Benji Backer, alongside coalition members, briefed White House staff on nonpartisan conservation strategies. A meeting scheduled for fifteen minutes extended well over an hour, ultimately influencing President Trump's unexpected June 2025 signing of the “Make America Beautiful Again” executive order. The order focuses on conserving public lands, safeguarding wildlife, and securing clean drinking water. Backer underscored that wildfires, drought, and ecosystem collapse don't just affect the environment; they threaten billions in outdoor-recreation revenue and undermine the hunting, fishing, and farming traditions valued across political lines.Nature is Nonpartisan's narrative emphasizes that environmental protection is not only about climate, but also the American landscape, economic security, and the natural heritage millions rely on and cherish.Conservation as Climate ActionNature is Nonpartisan's work centers on four key conservation areas: managing forests to reduce wildfire risk, enhancing water quality and improving water infrastructure, enhancing natural disaster resilience, and promoting responsible land stewardship. Together, these priorities offer a practical, bipartisan path to protect ecosystems and communities most vulnerable to climate change.Overall, emphasizing conservation provides a widely palatable, bipartisan entry point into climate action. By restoring ecosystems, sequestering carbon, and protecting biodiversity, these efforts simultaneously strengthen local economies — particularly in rural regions dependent on recreation and natural-resource industries — while building long-term climate resilience. The Tension Beneath the SurfaceDespite its promise, Nature is Nonpartisan's work exists within a fraught political landscape. Environmentalism and conservatism are still often framed as ideologically incompatible, a perception the organization works actively to undo. While the “Make America Beautiful Again” executive order signals progress, critics argue it may be more symbolic than substantive, especially given President Trump's longstanding dismissal of climate science. Some fear the order could serve more as a political performance than a genuine environmental advancement.These tensions point to the broader challenge: decades of conservative skepticism toward climate science have made it difficult to ensure follow-through on policy. Nature is Nonpartisan hopes to continue confronting this distrust by reframing environmental protection around nationally shared values — family, future generations, clean water, clean air, and access to the outdoors — whether one is a Midwestern farmworker or a city resident.The Power of Words and Bipartisan PolicyCommunications Director Amelia Joy emphasizes that language is crucial to keeping these efforts genuinely nonpartisan. Because the word “climate” has become politically charged, Nature is Nonpartisan often avoids leading with it. Instead, Joy notes that many of the organization's core priorities, from wildfire prevention to natural disaster resilience, are climate issues, but by centering them in everyday terms, the coalition can build durable, cross-party support that can outlast any single administration.Policy Director Maya Cohn adds that progress doesn't have to depend on who is in office. She emphasizes that policy advances can happen under any president or Congress if people are willing to work across political lines. For her, bridging divides and having honest conversations, even with those you disagree with, is the only way to create long-lasting environmental solutions.About the GuestsAmelia Joy is the Communications Director at Nature is Nonpartisan and identifies as Conservative. Maya Cohn is the Policy Director at Nature is Nonpartisan and identifies as Progressive.ResourcesAbout — Nature Is NonpartisanEstablishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission – The White HouseMake America Beautiful Again — Nature Is NonpartisanFurther ReadingQ&A: Meet the conservative working to make environmentalism nonpartisanFraming Climate Action as Patriotic and Status Quo-Friendly Increases Liberals' and Conservatives' Belief in Climate ChangeHow this group got Trump to sign a pro-environment executive order - The Washington Post  For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/unifying-a-partisan-nation-around-nature-with-amelia-joy-and-maya-cohn/

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H2-TCJS-Thur110625- "Political Consultant Wesley Donehue interview about the SC Gov't ", "Just because a raise is nonpartisan doesn't mean the people are". " SC Lieut Gov Pamela Evette interview on the WORD Talk Line with Charlie James" , "Megyn Kelly of Fox News, “The Republican's Like to Lose” "

When you hear the word nuclear, does your mind flash to mushroom clouds, Chernobyl, or maybe the glowing three-eyed fish from The Simpsons? Well, what if nuclear electricity — far from being an environmental villain — is actually one of the safest, cleanest, and most land-efficient energy sources we have? It turns out that former fashion model Isabelle Boemeke is on a mission to change how we think about nuclear energy. When she and I met a few years ago, in Italy of all places, she was known by many simply as Isodope, her online persona that blends fashion, futurism, and fission to make nuclear cool again. And now, in her new book Rad Future, Isabelle argues that nuclear power isn't just misunderstood — it's essential to solving climate change, land preservation, and numerous other important concerns. In our conversation, Isabelle details: Why fear of nuclear power stems more from cultural trauma than from science, Why nuclear electricity is safer and environmentally-friendlier than not just fossil fuels, but also solar and wind, What's fact vs. fiction when it comes to the world's biggest energy disasters, And why, despite all the excitement about fusion and modular reactors, maybe the smartest thing we can do right now is simply pick a proven fission design — and start building them fast. I always love when it turns out that the thing we thought was the villain is actually a hero, or at least better than what we thought. If you do too, this is the episode for you, as this episode may challenge your assumptions about what's truly "green" and is actually safe. Discussed in this episode The 2019 Amazon Rainforest fires and Australian fires that decimated massive amounts of wildlife habitat helped inspire Isabelle to focus on environmental concerns such as climate change. The 1975 Baquiao dam collapse killed hundreds of thousands of people. Isabelle recommends checking out www.whatisnuclear.com and the Decouple Podcast. Commonwealth Fusion recently raised $863 million. The US military is investing in small, mobile nuclear reactors. Paul recently read a sci-fi book about nuclear-powered wildlife called The Kaiju Preservation Society. Get to Know Isabelle Boemeke With her signature mix of humor, sharp research, and optimistic vision, her debut book, Rad Future, makes the case for nuclear electricity as one of the best tools to solve the climate crisis. Boemeke is also known as Isodope, the irreverent digital persona on a mission to make nuclear cool. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Save Clean Energy and board member of Nature is Nonpartisan and Nuclear Scaling Initiative, where she works at the intersection of policy, culture, and technology to accelerate pragmatic solutions. She delivered a TED Talk that has been viewed nearly 2 million times, led a grassroots campaign that helped delay the closure of California's Diablo Canyon Power Plant, and is a TIME Magazine "Next Generation Leader."

In the first episode of their Special Election series, KVMR News brings you a Prop 50 explainer.  This fall California is holding a state-wide special election asking California voters to approve or reject Proposition 50. Prop 50 has been the subject of a lot of misinformation, so let's take a quick look at what the proposition actually says and what its impact will be if it's approved by voters. “Proposition 50 authorizes temporary changes to congressional district maps in response to Texas' partisan redistricting.”

“The rule of law is neither conservative nor liberal. It is entirely non-partisan — and it doesn't matter what your political beliefs are. We, as lawyers, are all committed to the rule of law.” – Lynne Borsuk In this short clip from Episode 51 – Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law, Lynne Borsuk and Seth Kirschenbaum remind us that justice depends on our shared commitment to fairness and impartiality.

Mudslinging. False advertising. The state's most popular politician. Just what the hell is going on with judicial elections in Pennsylvania?

Newsom says he'll sue to keep Trump from sending California National Guard to Portland; Nonpartisan federal workers swept up in political feud; Rural libraries in ID struggle under state's book banning law; groups push for revamp of trade deal to protect jobs in PA.

Newsom says he'll sue to keep Trump from sending California National Guard to Portland; Nonpartisan federal workers swept up in political feud; Rural libraries in ID struggle under state's book banning law; groups push for revamp of trade deal to protect jobs in PA.    

Aug. 26, 2025- In response to President Donald Trump's effort to allow church leaders to make political endorsements, Assemblymember Tony Simone, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for legislation intended to keep nonprofits from backing political candidates by tying nonpartisanship to their state tax-exempt status.

Is nature nonpartisan? Earlier this year we had an interview with Dr. Caleb Scoville from Tufts University, who received an Andrew Carnegie fellowship to explore whether environmental issues are highly partisan. It can certainly seem that here in America just about everything is partisan these days, but is nature partisan?  As another of our guests pointed out, those who enjoy going out into nature come in all political flavors. That said, our guest today is Benji Backer, the driver behind the Nature is Nonpartisan campaign to get the American public – all of us – to convince the decision makers in Washington that the environment is too important to be a partisan issue.

Parents of students with disabilities in summer school say broken air conditioning and overheated buses are making an already difficult experience worse. Meanwhile, Governor Kathy Hochul says it's time to move past nonpartisan redistricting in New York. Plus, Senator Elizabeth Warren shows support for democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

Another podcast episode where we're giving you two great guests for the price of one!Our incredible host, Mike Slater, starts off by talking to Benji Backer, founder and CEO of Nature Is Nonpartisan, about President Donald J. Trump's recently announced "Make America Beautiful Again" Commission and why it's a great thing!Following that, Slater speaks with Douglass Mackey, the social media influencer, who has been engaged in a huge legal battle over a MEME THAT HE POSTED IN 2016. No, we're not kidding. Listen in for all of the insane details!

What’s Trending: You won’t have to take off your shoes at the airport anymore. Local media is scaring you about the effects of the Medicaid reforms in the Big Beautiful Bill. GUEST: Benji Backer (Nature is Nonpartisan) breaks down a new White House executive order to Make America Beautiful Again. // Big Local: Community members in White Center are outraged over an alleged ICE raid. Amazon’s footprint in Bellevue continues to grow. TikTok is laying off workers at its Bellevue office. Tulalip Casino’s upgrades are ready to go. // You Pick the Topic: A ‘Love Island’ contestant was bounced from the show for previously using a racial slur on a podcast.

The Senate just narrowly passed the latest version of the GOP tax and spending bill, and the House will vote on it tomorrow. Nonpartisan experts at the Congressional Budget Office say the bill will add more than $3 trillion to the national debt, which is already a whopping $36.2 trillion. In this episode, a few economic historians tell us how we got here. Plus: Construction spending falls again, Home Depot goes after large-scale pros and the stock market rallies.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

The Senate just narrowly passed the latest version of the GOP tax and spending bill, and the House will vote on it tomorrow. Nonpartisan experts at the Congressional Budget Office say the bill will add more than $3 trillion to the national debt, which is already a whopping $36.2 trillion. In this episode, a few economic historians tell us how we got here. Plus: Construction spending falls again, Home Depot goes after large-scale pros and the stock market rallies.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Plus ~ a sneak peek at a poignant interview on the way forward in Ukraine.  SUPPORT OUR MISSION: Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here's how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/    Shop our gear!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews 

Emily Colon, former Deputy City Manager for the City of Lakeland, Florida, joined the podcast to talk about her career and two important management concepts. She recently wrote about the importance of nonpartisanship and she discussed how it can be a superpower for local government staff in an era of high polarization. She shared her approach for how she managed department directors and other positions in her career that were subject matter experts in their field when she was not, and how that can put a manager in a unique position. Emily also talked about her recent career transition and balancing a two career household as a local government professional. Host: Ben Kittelson

On this week's episode of TheFallenState TV, host Jesse Lee Peterson is joined by Mitch Francis—He is an atheist author, entrepreneur, and CEO. His book is called 'Bad-A*s Solutions for Today's Big-A*s Problems'. Mitch and Jesse dive into a lively discussion about the most pressing issues facing the world today, from politics and economics to education and personal development. Mitch explains his unique, no-nonsense solutions and why he believes they are more effective than traditional approaches. They also debate faith, morality, and whether God plays a role in fixing the world’s problems. It’s a conversation filled with sharp insights, strong opinions, and plenty of laughs—don’t miss it!

Even though many voters said they didn't like Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, very few who voted decided to cast their ballots for other candidates. Then, a look at why many ranked choice voting & nonpartisan primary ballot initiatives struggled at the polls this November.This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and political reporter Stephen Fowler.The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han and Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy