What if the secret to winning elections is . . . running everywhere, even where Democrats “can’t win”? 👀

This week on Beyond Resistance, we’re joined by Michele Hornish, founder and executive director of Every State Blue, to blow up some tired political myths and make a bold case for funding candidates in the reddest of red districts.

Michele breaks down why progressive organizing, grassroots fundraising, and local elections matter way more than the political establishment admits. We talk about her “bottom‑up bathtub” funding model (yes, it’s a thing), why uncontested races are quietly killing democracy, and how even a few thousand dollars can spark a butterfly effect that shifts culture, turnout, and long‑term power.

Along the way, we cover:

💖 Why “winnability” is wildly overrated in modern politics

💖 How state legislatures became laboratories for extremism

💖 The difference between voter suppression and voter depression

💖 Why accountability starts with simply showing up on the ballot

💖 How running a dignified campaign can change a community—even if you lose

This episode is a must‑listen for anyone who’s tired of Democrats playing defense while extremists run unopposed. It’s smart, hopeful, a little spicy, and full of real talk about building blue power in red and rural America.

If you believe democracy works better when people actually have choices—and that there’s more than one way to “win”—this one’s for you. 🎧

To find out more about Every State Blue: everystateblue.org

To download the Blueprint for Building Blue Power: beyondresistancepod.com

#BluePower #ContestEveryRace #RunForSomething

- - What happens when you bring a behavioral scientist, a rigged map, and a whole lot of “why are we still doing it this way?” energy into one political podcast episode? Absolute fire. 🔥

This week on Beyond Resistance, we’re joined by Kate Barr — organizer, founder of the Can’t Win Victory Fund, and the woman who famously ran as an openly fake Republican to expose gerrymandering from the inside. Yes, really.

We dive into why losing elections can actually be a winning political strategy, how gerrymandered districts warp democracy, and what it really takes to build progressive power in red states. From North Carolina to Michigan, this conversation gets honest about electoral reform, grassroots organizing, unaffiliated voters, and why the Democratic establishment keeps missing obvious opportunities to win.

Along the way, we talk about:

- Gerrymandering and redistricting (because democracy deserves better maps)

- Why political norms are overrated when democracy is on the line

- How to organize in deep-red districts without losing your mind

- Fighting for fair elections, voting rights, and long-term political strategy

- What it means to “bring a knife to a knife fight” in modern American politics

If you’re into progressive politics podcasts, election reform, independent voters, or stories about people breaking the rules to fix democracy — this episode is for you. It’s smart, slightly unhinged (in the best way), and deeply hopeful.

🎧 Hit play, ruffle some feathers, and let’s talk about how to actually win.

To learn more about Kate Barr and the Can't Win Victory Fund: www.cantwinvictoryfund.com

To learn more about Beyond Resistance and the Blueprint for Building Blue Power: www.beyondresistancepod.com

#BluePower #CantWin #Politics #midterms2026

What do dragons, Disney adults, and a sheriff running for governor have in common?

Apparently . . . this episode of Beyond Resistance.

Hosts Sarah Schulz and Jennifer Austin kick things off fired all the way up—processing the heavy reality of misogyny, online radicalization, and why being a woman in modern politics can feel like playing defense 24/7. From there, they pivot to something we desperately need in this political moment: hope that doesn’t feel fake.

Enter Sheriff Chris Swanson, Genesee County’s top cop, longtime union member, national voice on criminal justice reform, and candidate for Michigan governor. In one of our most grounded and human conversations yet, Swanson talks about servant leadership, why actions matter more than party labels, and how you actually build trust across political divides—especially in red communities.

This episode dives into progressive politics, grassroots organizing, and what it really means to build blue power in red areas without talking down to people. You’ll hear about Swanson’s nationally recognized IGNITE jail education program, coalition‑building that leads to real voter crossover, and why meeting people where they are is the future of Democratic strategy.

And yes—you’ll also hear about Auto World, Disney World, and why paying attention to vibes might be an underrated political skill.

If you’re into political podcasts, Democratic strategy, state and local politics, or how to win elections without selling your soul, this episode is for you.

Listen in, stay curious, and—when the moment calls for it—be the dragon. 🐉🎧

To find out more about Sheriff Swanson's campaign: swansonformichigan.com

To check out more on Beyond Resistance and download the Blueprint for Building Blue Power: beyondresistancepod.com

This week on Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer are fresh off what can only be described as a ✨Very Democratic✨ long weekend in Detroit — and they have thoughts.

From a boho Airbnb near Eastern Market to Broadway tears at Suffs, to heels, hats, marching bands, DJ booths, and yes . . . Robert’s Rules of Order, this episode is your inside scoop on the Michigan Democratic Party’s record breaking nominating convention. (Over 7,200 people! Democracy said “bring snacks.”)

They break down the big wins (hello, progressive sweep 👋), the surprise moments, the speeches that brought the room to its feet, and the boos that absolutely did not — plus why both can be true at the same time. You’ll hear reflections on Garlin Gilchrist, Eli Savit, Abdul El Sayed, Mallory McMorrow, Haley Stevens, and why joy, hoopla, and a little chaos might actually be part of doing democracy right.

There’s also a candid convo about movement tensions, generational dynamics, political theater (literal and figurative), tech snafus, ranked choice voting superfans, and why peanut butter M&Ms are a critical failure point in any convention planning.

Oh — and Jennifer got an award, Sarah brought a cooler, and Beyond Resistance tabled at the convention chatting with rural Dems building blue power where it’s hardest (and most necessary).

If you’ve ever wondered what a modern political convention really looks like — messy, loud, joyful, exhausting, and hopeful — this episode is for you.

Democracy is a team sport. Come hang out. 💙🙌

To learn more about Beyond Resistance and download the Blueprint: 5 Steps for Building Blue Power got to: beyondresistancepod.com

#MichiganPolitics #Democrat #BluePower #Podcast

In this episode of Beyond Resistance, we sit down with Lisa McIntyre, candidate for Michigan State House (District 22), therapist, school board leader, mom of three, and all-around proof that local politics is where the real action happens. If you’re into progressive political podcasts, grassroots organizing, or conversations about how to actually win elections in swingy districts, this one’s for you.

Lisa shares how her background in mental health, public education, and crisis management shaped her leadership during the chaos of COVID and why those skills matter more than ever in state-level politics. We talk about building transformational (not transactional) relationships with voters, using data and empathy to make decisions, and why showing up—again and again—is the secret sauce of effective campaigning.

You’ll also hear what voters in Western Wayne County are really worried about right now (spoiler: affordability, schools, healthcare, and the future), how Democrats can grow a blue wave without alienating their neighbors, and why some political fights shouldn’t be partisan at all (clean water, special education, and basic human dignity, anyone?).

It’s smart, practical, occasionally funny, and rooted in the belief that democracy works best when normal people step up and lead. If you’re searching for podcasts that yap about Democratic politics and honest conversations about building power in red and purple communities, press play.

Bonus: tennis aspirations, swimming confessions, and proof that even political candidates hate the cold.

To learn more about Beyond Resistance and our Blueprint for Building Blue Power: beyondresistancepod.com

To check out Lisa's campaign (donate & volunteer please!): mcintyreformichigan.com

Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and donate to our mission of building blue power in red communities through Venmo (@beyondresistanceppod) and GoFundMe: gofundme.com/f/help-us-share-the-blueprint-for-blue-power

In this fiery episode of Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer dive headfirst into the great progressive debate of 2026: Do protests actually matter, or are we all just getting our steps in? Spoiler: they matter — a lot.

Fresh off a wave of online hot‑takes claiming protest is pointless, your favorite co-hosts break down why collective action still moves hearts, shifts culture, and builds the kind of courage that flips very red communities blue. From No Kings rallies to mutual aid to the magic that happens when isolated Democrats in rural towns realize they aren’t alone, this conversation is part political therapy session, part organizing playbook.

But that’s not all — we also go full tilt into the messy, nuanced stuff: data centers in Michigan (yes, AI needs water), the joy of not arguing with your relatives about revolutions at Easter dinner, and why black‑and‑white thinking is wrecking the progressive movement. Plus, Sarah and Jennifer share a behind‑the‑scenes look at taking Beyond Resistance on the road to Democratic conventions — and why they need your help to do it.

If you love grassroots organizing, progressive politics, democracy‑saving strategies, or just want to hear two women lovingly drag both the far-left and the far-right with equal enthusiasm, this episode is for you.

💸 Want to help us spread the word IRL? Support us on Venmo: @BeyondResistancePod.

Take a listen, share with a friend, and remember — winning is a team sport.

In this week’s episode of Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer come in fired up and ready to unpack the political circus we’re all trying to survive. From TSA chaos and ICE lurking in airports like the world’s least helpful mall cops, to the nonstop stress being cooked up in D.C., this episode is basically a masterclass in modern activism, community organizing, and staying sane in an authoritarian‑ish era.

But that’s just the warm‑up.

We’re also joined by community powerhouses Lara Bell Phillips and Allison Wilcox, two of the brilliant minds behind local Midland, MI organizing efforts and the upcoming No Kings 3 rally. They share the real behind‑the‑scenes: the spreadsheets, the press releases, the group chats, the protest T‑shirts (important), and the “find your people” magic that transforms isolated blue dots into vibrant, connected communities.

If you’ve ever wondered how to energize a red‑leaning area, build a grassroots movement, or host your own rally without spontaneously combusting, this episode breaks it all down with humor, honesty, and just the right amount of righteous rage.

We talk strategy.

We talk safety.

We talk joyful domination (yes, really).

And we talk about why showing up — even if it’s 50 people getting flipped off by pickup trucks — actually shifts democracy.

Whether you're a seasoned organizer or a “politics podcast listener who swears they’re not getting involved” (yet), this episode gives you actionable steps, community inspiration, and all the vibes of a group chat you absolutely want to be part of.

Listen in. Get inspired. Then go make some good trouble.

For more on Beyond Resistance and the Blueprint for Building Blue Power, visit beyondresistancepod.com.

To find a No Kings Rally in your area: indivisible.org/get-involved/attend-an-event/

This week on Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer are fired up (yes, again) and diving into what it really takes to build Democratic power, increase voter turnout, and move beyond the “blue wave will save us” magical thinking. Spoiler: it won’t. (Sorry, internet commenters.)

We’re joined by Justin Onwenu, Detroit-born organizer, environmental justice advocate, law professor, economic opportunity champion — and now candidate for Michigan State Senate District 1. Justin’s resume is so packed we had to fact-check whether he sleeps. (Unclear.)

In this energizing conversation, we get real about:

* Why communities like Detroit and Downriver have some of the lowest turnout in the state — and how year-round organizing (not election-season drive-bys) can fix it

* How environmental justice, workers’ rights, and neighborhood investment are inseparable from winning sustainable political power

* What it means to build transformational relationships instead of transactional campaigns — the kind that actually move voters, organizers, and future leaders

* Why everyday people (yes, including you) are smarter than political consultants give them credit for

* How state governments can “Trump-proof” their communities through bold policy on voting rights, immigration, affordability, and more

Also: co-pay trauma stories, the best places to eat in Detroit, friendship rants, and a little shade at people who think centrism means “never talk about social issues again.”

If you’re into progressive politics, grassroots organizing, community power, or just love hearing leaders talk like actual humans, this is your episode.

Tune in, get inspired, and let’s build something real — beyond resistance.

To learn more about Justin's campaign: justinformi.com

To learn more about Beyond Resistance: beyondresistancepod.com

@justinonwenu5298