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In today's episode, I chat with Richard Massey, a community organizer and environmental advocate in the Memphis area who has worked on several environmental justice campaigns and is now the Data Center Accountability Manager for Young, Gifted & Green Timeline of our conversation: 1:52 What's the difference between Data Centers and A.I. Data Centers 3:00 Outcomes of the Memphis City Council Meeting on 10-20-26. 8:17 Are residential consumers subsidizing A.I. Data Centers' energy consumption? 10:15 The purpose of gas turbines at A.I. Data Centers and the impact on BoxTown residents respiratory health, per the American Lung Association. 13: 35 A.I. Data Center myth busters 16:23 Young Gifted and Green is coming to Dyersburg, TN on 11/7/26. We hope to see you there, and you can sign up at this link. bit.ly/dyerdata

In today’s episode, I chat with Matthew Dietz, a civil rights attorney and founder of Dislaw Consulting. Matt has spent more than thirty years advocating for people with disabilities. His litigation has advanced effective communication for Deaf people, challenged the unnecessary institutionalization of children with disabilities, and protected voting rights for people with disabilities. His work also addresses discrimination in housing, education, employment, healthcare, and access to community life. Matt began in private practice before bringing his legal work into Disability Independence Group, the nonprofit he founded to combine litigation, community education, and advocacy. He later served as professor and director of Nova Southeastern University’s Disability Inclusion and Advocacy Law Clinic, representing clients while teaching future lawyers to challenge exclusion and work alongside people with disabilities. Today, through Dislaw Consulting, he provides legal services, consulting, training, and expert assistance to individuals, families, organizations, and attorneys. Living with a stutter gives his advocacy a personal dimension. He joins us to discuss U.S. v. Florida and the fight to ensure children can grow up with their families with the nursing care and support they need Timeline of our conversation 1:00 Matthew (Matt) Dietz background as a disability rights lawyer. 2:54 Background and latest updates on the Florida lawsuit regarding the provision of home care to medically fragile children. 3:24 The journey of how the Department of Justice (DOJ) initially sued Florida to provide services to children and now the DOJ’s changed position in light of the Olmstead Opinion issued on June 18, 2026. 1 0:10 Implications of the Florida case conflated with the September 23, 2026,  Texas vs. Kennedy ruling, which now applies to ALL states.  12:21 Investigative reporter Mike Hixenbaugh series on NBCDisabled and Denied calls for families impacted by Medicaid changes to contact them at the following link.12:44: The story of Amy and Sue Root, the faces behind the Florida lawsuit. 15:57 What brought about the changes to the DOJ position, and how this aligns with this administration's current “homelessness” policy. (Source: “Disabled and Denied” ) 21:39 The institutionalisation of care of the disabled and how this has played out in the past, in the cases of Willowbrook and Clover Bottom 23:00 Calls to Action: We have to VOTE and TELL OUR STORY. 27: 00 Conclusion.

A tenth-generation South Memphis resident, Marquita Bradshaw is the first African-American woman to win a statewide nomination in a major party nomination. She has built on her family’s tradition of labor and community advocacy by working on issues affecting working families and historically underserved neighborhoods. Her career has focused on environmental health, workers’ rights, economic opportunity, and public accountability. As executive director of Sowing Justice, an environmental justice nonprofit, she has addressed concerns involving industrial pollution, fossil-fuel infrastructure, data-center development, and their effects on local communities. Her Call to Action: The importance of voter engagement and participation in the upcoming November 2026 General Election. -- We’re going to need an incredible grassroots team to create the change we want to see in Washington. Timeline: 00:41 Marquita Bradshaw's background. 01:55 Her career as a community organizer and her role as Executive Director of Sowing Justice. 02:49 Affordable and accessible broadband, and data privacy protection. 07:11 Gerrymandering and protecting voter rights 09:03 Budgets reflect morality, and universal healthcare is a policy choice and priority 11:02 Ms Bradshaw's 3-step grassroots voter engagement: 1) Are you registered? 2) Do you have a voting plan? 3) Invite others to join you to vote. 13:22 You are invited to a Community Forum taking place Friday, October 16, 2026, at 5:30 at the Lannom Center in Dyersburg, TN 14: 19 Conclusion

Gary Blumenthal is the brother of Steve Blumenthal, a senior adult with profound autism, and dementia, now receiving hospice services in his HCBS group home in Lawrence, KS. He is a former high school Civics teacher, former six-term member of the Kansas House of Representatives, and former disability official in the Clinton and Obama administrations, and is currently serving as a Senior Political Advisor for The National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals. Timeline of the conversation: 1: 00 Backstory of Gary and Steve Blumenthal 3:25 Transition from institutional living of "3 hots and a cot" to home and community-based services (HCBS) 5:41 Civic engagement and voting 6:30 Education and communicating with Legislators. 8:50 Be educated and to educate 9:32 Paid Family Caregiving 12:00 Get out the Vote (GOTV) 15:38 Why do States have waiting lists for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) 16:33 Funding Priorities and Policies to determine funding of services and advocates making their voice known in an environment of lobbyists and money in politics. 17:00 Advocacy and Activism 18: Call to Action: Get Out The Vote (#GOTV) Please read Gary's recent opinion in the Kansas City Star: 60 years of disability progress helped my brother. I fear we’re reversing it Read more at:

Robbie Faulkner is the Executive Director of The Arc Tennessee, a nonprofit that protects and advocates for the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is also the proud parent of two sons, Ian and Collin. Since her older son’s diagnosis of autism 28 years ago, Robbie has looked to serve individuals with disabilities and, for 31 years did so in the public education arena before coming to The Arc Tennessee. Timeline of our conversation:  1:35 Robbie’s Background 5:00 Multigenerational households 6:14 The Dinner Table 7:28 Robbie’s teaching career 13:00 How did Robbie transition to the ARC Tennessee 15:00 Advocate challenges and the potential for positive policy change           TX vs Kennedy and DOJ Olmstead Decision 19:00 Telling your story, prioritising your vote.  23:00 The cost of misinformation 25:00 We can’t go back 27:05 CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS, especially If you have  ideas for solutions to problems you experience 28:00 Joining ARC TN and accessing the policy calls while the TN House is in session

Edward Mitchell was a victim of a hit-and-run bicycle accident in 2003 when he was hit by a truck, thrown into a ditch, and found by his little brother. Edward has quadriplegia with an incomplete spinal cord injury at the C5 and C6 levels. Edward obtained his bachelor’s degree in 2009 from Lane College, a private HBCU, and his MBA in 2011 from Union University.  That hasn’t slowed him down; he works as Executive Director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Tennessee while serving on numerous boards.  In 2018, Edward was selected as an inaugural ABLE Advisor for the Able National Resource Center. ABLE Accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. In the summer of 2018, Edward was confirmed by the Republicans & Democrats of T.N. to testify before the Washington, D.C., Senate Special Committee on Aging. The hearing was titled, “Supporting Economic Stability & Self-Sufficiency as Americans with Disabilities ​and their Families. Timeline of the conversation. ​01:00 Edward Mitchell's backstory.​01:41 What are Able Accounts? ​04:51 Home and Community-Based Services and the Role it plays in the Disability Community. 06:08 Disability Advocacy Organizations in TN: Disability Rights TN, Tennessee Disability Coalition, ARC TN, and Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities​ 08:24 Centers of Independent Living 10:10 Statewide Independent Living Council 11:50 Conclusion

Chaz Molder is a native son of Columbia, Tennessee. He graduated from Columbia Central High School, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Memphis Law School. He also served as his high school and college student body president. He was elected as the Mayor of Columbia, in 2018, becoming the youngest mayor in his city’s 200+ year history. Since then, Chaz has delivered for his community, revitalizing downtown Columbia, investing in public safety, and prioritizing community engagement, all while passing seven balanced budgets without increasing property taxes. He knows what it takes to win in tough places — he’s done it twice before. Now, Chaz is ready to win again and bring Tennessee values to Congress. Chaz is married to Elizabeth Fitzhugh, a Ripley, Tennessee native, and they are raising their three kids in Columbia. Timeline: 01:52 Homage to Dolly Parton 03:31 Chaz Molder's Bio His positions on: 07:00 School Vouchers and Education 10:00 HealthCare 12:30 AI Data Centers 14:32 Chaz Molder's support of the Disability Community and home and community-based services. 17: Call to Action: #GOTV

In this episode, Sara Smith and I chat with Scott Schoefernacker and Sarah Houston of "Protect Our Aquifer,", a water resource nonprofit in Memphis, TN. This podcast centers on the Memphis Sand Aquifer and the potential impact of data centers on the environment. Timeline of our conversation: 00:41 What is an aquifer and its significance? 03:41 The origin story of "Protect our Aquifer" 06:41 How big is the Memphis Sand Aquifer? 6:26 Sara Smith relates, in her opinion, what happened when the data center came knocking in Ripley, TN 9:21 Data centers and the impact on power and water 11:28 Ripley moratorium 12:54 How do communities do the research? 16: Community Benefits Agreement (informal) vs a Data Center Ordinance (legally binding) 19:34 Should Data Centers be contributing to the communities they build in? 21: 55 How should citizens engage in the pushback and questions to ask? 22:52 Environmental regulations including: EPA, TDEC, WHPP (wellhead protection plan) 26:52 Zoning and community planning. 30:38 Access to records and why a data center ordinance is critical for a single point of access to fact-find regarding the impact of data centers on their communities and surrounding environment. 35:15 PFAS and "forever chemicals" 36:37 Upcoming Community events by "Protect our Aquifer" (POA)

In this episode, I chat with Mandeep Kaur and Leah Williamson of Family Voices of Tennessee. Timeline: 1:30 Introduction of Leah Williamson, Director of Family Voices of Tennessee. 5:25 Introduction of Mandeep Kaur, Family Advocate at Family Voices of Tennessee. 10:34 What does Family Voices do and how do families connect with this organization? 12:26 Advocacy is an ever-changing landscape. 12:30 Statement from Family Voices National (and TN) on the DOJ opinion on the Olmstead Decision is available on the Family Voices Facebook page. 17:24 Upcoming events: Party in the Park Oct 17, 2026 and Disability Day on the Hill 2027 18:59 Call to Action 19:37 Words of encouragement.

Back Story This summer, we launched a #GoVote TN grassroots voter awareness campaign. We travelled over 500 miles from Franklin, Union City, to Memphis, TN, to amplify the message that electing representatives who understand the disability community is important for crafting policy that supports this community (in fact, all communities) in terms of healthcare, housing, voting rights, etc. This episode is published on a day that commemorates the signing of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) on August 6, 1965. On the 61st anniversary of this law, voting rights face an ever-growing assault of redistricting/gerrymandering, from cracking Memphis into 3 congressional districts and diluting the ability of the majority-minority Black district, which has historically elected Democratic Representatives. This redistricting of the Tennessee Congressional maps over three days was set into motion by the Louisiana vs Callais Decision on April 29. 2026. According to the Supreme Court decision, proclaimed that race was no longer a factor and in play in present-day America; therefore, the majority-minority districts that were carved out for citizens to elect their representatives were unconstitutional. The Calais Decision makes racial gerrymandering "unconstitutional" but partisan gerrymandering ok. As a result, to now prove redistricting discriminatory, you have to prove intent vs impact. (Tisby, Justice Journey Podcast, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-justice-briefing-with-dr-jemar-tisby/id1460240056?i=1000780389308)2026 Collection of Primary Source Voting Stories We will be capturing primary sources of voting stories. We invite you to share your story with us. In the first installment, Ms Naomi King, who was born on 11/3/33, talks about how she moved with her grandparents from Decatur to Dyer County, TN; her early life; her first voting card in 1954; and her voting history. I am joined by my dear friend Rachel Townsend as we talk to the living legend. Timeline: 1:24 Do you remember when you registered to vote or the first time you voted? 2:59 Have you always voted? 4:13 How did everyone stay informed of campaigns back then? 5:10 Ms Naomi's early years, school, and getting married. 12:49 The Achievement test and starting High School at Bruce. 15:38 What recollections of history stand out in your memory? 18:17: Agriculture in West Tennessee back in the day? 21:05 A loan from Mr Lipford at First Citizens National Bank to start King's BBQ. 21:44 Ms Naomi's message to young people.23:44 Conclusion.

An in-depth conversation with Theresa Sweeny, co-founder of the National Disability and Home Care Rights Coalition, about emerging threats to disability rights and home- and community-based services (HCBS) in the United States. Sweeny explains that the coalition formed to unite disabled people, families, and organizations across diagnoses, waiver systems, and states in defense of civil rights protections rooted in the ADA, Olmsted, Section 504, HCBS, privacy, due process, caregiver rights, and equal dignity, amid growing fractures within disability communities and state-level erosion of these protections. The discussion centers on a Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel memorandum stating that Section 504 and the ADA do not impose a general integration mandate on states, thereby allowing states the potential of not meeting the provision of  HCBS needed by persons of disabilities to live in the community and increasing the risk of institutionalization. Sweeny highlights the Latanya Reeves Freedom Act as a critical federal civil rights proposal that would create an enforceable statutory right to community living and stronger protections for people needing long-term services and supports, and urges listeners to contact their federal legislators to support and co-sponsor the bill. The episode also examines how narratives of “fraud, waste, and abuse” in Medicaid are used to foment public hostility towards marginalized communities despite the program’s role as a vital social safety net from birth to death for people who cannot otherwise obtain or afford health insurance. The episode concludes with a call for broad, unified advocacy, including engagement with the coalition’s unity statement and related resources, to defend the right of disabled people to live, work, and participate in their communities rather than being forced into institutions. Today’s Call to Action: National Disability & Home Care Rights Coalition, in coordination with the Ohio Disability & Home Care Rights Coalition, has developed a National Unity Statement to protect community living, home and community-based services, Olmstead, Section 504, and the Disability Civil Rights.  The following  petition represents “ 50 states. One fight. Protect Community Living”  Here is your link to endorse https://forms.gle/vMJ7uzA2Uadvv2VK9 Resources ARC US , ARC TN, and Family Voices (National) are some of the organizations that have issued statements in response to the DOJ Opinion. Bruce Darling from ADAPT blog as what this opinion could mean for the disability community https://cdrnys.org/blog/uncategorized/the-olc-memo-olmstead-and-the-latonya-reeves-freedom-act/

Episode #171 (12 min listen) Today’s episode is a PSA as we head into the midterm elections. I am grateful to Anita Fowlkes, Administrator of the Dyer County Election Commission, for informing us of some key points 1:48 Early Voting starts this Friday, July 17, and runs till August 1, 2026.  To vote early, you need to take your photo ID and go to your local election commission. In Dyersburg, that is at 113 W Market Street.  Offices are open Monday through Friday 8:30 to 4:30. For working families, the election office is also open for three Saturdays, July 18, July 25, and August 1 from 9- 12 PM. If you live in a county other than Dyer County, please go to GoVoteTN.gov to confirm your voter registration and location.  4:08 The redrawn Congressional Maps (May 2026) change Dyer County from the 8th to the 5th Congressional District. See attached graphic for new Congressional Map and  lists of candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives for the primaries. 4:27 For those who don’t live in Dyer County, go to: GoVoteTN.gov to find out your Congressional District.  06:29 What is needed and what forms of ID are accepted to vote. Please note Student ID’s are not accepted.  7:55 If you are already registered to vote and you change your address on the day you vote.  9:09 If you vote on election day, August 6th: Go to GoVoteTN.gov to determine your  precinct. 10:00 During the primaries, you will be asked: 1) Do you want the Democrat or Republican Ballot because you are electing your nominees who will represent each party in the November elections.  2) You will also receive a general ballot for electing your local school board members, commissioners, etc 10:45 When do we get the results? 12:00 If you have any queries, please contact the Dyer County Election Commission at 731-286-4268

This episode of the Raising Kellan Podcast concludes a three-part “Healthcare Affordability” series by featuring human rights advocate Kristen Grimm, founder and former executive director of Mothers for Medicare for All and newly appointed national director of One Nation Fully Covered under the Tim Carpenter Institute. [0:53] [1:17] [32:16] Drawing on her lived experience navigating her son’s 25 childhood and adolescent surgeries in children’s hospitals, Grimm describes how confronting medical debt, insurance denials, and complex Medicaid systems propelled her from hospital corridors to advocacy in the Tennessee legislature, Congress, and national healthcare reform movements. [3:17] [3:44] [4:29] [5:33] [5:53] [6:21] [6:47] [7:40] [8:06][8:43] [9:10] [9:31] [10:05] [10:42] Grimm argues that the current U.S. healthcare financing structure is economically flawed, violates human rights, and is driven by for‑profit insurance companies whose practices generate medical debt and obstruct access to needed care, including for children treated in children’s hospitals. [4:29] [10:59] [11:18] [18:55] [20:00] [22:22] [22:35] [23:14] [23:29] [24:03] She emphasizes Medicaid’s central role in sustaining children’s hospitals and covering nearly half of children in Tennessee and nationwide, framing guaranteed healthcare and medical debt as policy choices rather than inevitabilities. [5:33] [5:53] [6:21] [10:42] [10:59] [23:29] [24:03] The conversation highlights the emotional and financial toll on families, including examples of parents losing Medicaid coverage for their children after marginal income increases and struggling for years to pay off surgical bills. [15:05] [15:42] [15:55] [16:21] [16:41] [17:12] [17:24] As an incremental strategy toward universal healthcare, Grimm outlines the proposed Medicaid for All Children Act (“MACA”) in Tennessee, which would place all children on Medicaid, eliminate means testing and annual redeterminations, remove managed care organizations and private insurers from program administration, and raise provider reimbursement to Medicare rates to support pediatric participation. [12:03] [12:19] [12:32] [12:58] [13:19][13:52] [14:28] [15:05] [17:12] She contends this approach would ensure seamless coverage, reduce administrative burdens on clinicians, eliminate medical debt for children, and serve as a model for broader reform that ultimately covers all children through Medicaid and all adults through Medicare. [17:12] [28:24] [29:04] [26:29] [26:44] [27:03] [27:26] [28:09] The episode situates One Nation Fully Covered within the legacy of Tim Carpenter’s long-standing advocacy for healthcare as a human right and incremental policy change, while inviting listeners to engage in the movement, including through public awareness efforts such as “I love Medicaid” billboards. [29:04] [29:24] [29:45] [30:17] [30:38] [30:47] [31:18][31:49]

Dr. Beth Beaudin-Seiler is a Project Director in the Health Research and Insights practice area, where she leads the Health Economics and Policy team. She leads a portfolio of work that focuses on health care affordability, including the Consumer Healthcare Experience State Survey (CHES) - a survey designed to understand the burdens, trade-offs, and worries respondents have regarding affording health care. Her goal is to educate listeners on the findings of the 2025 TN CHES Survey.https://healthcarevaluehub.org/consumer-healthcare-experience-state-survey/ 1:38 Beth’s backstory from the College of Aviation at Western Michigan University, training pilots to researching healthcare at Altarum. What is Altarum? A nonprofit organization that focuses on improving the health of individuals who have fewer financial resources, or are disenfranchised by the system. Altarum works on behalf of federal, state, and philanthropic organizations on evidence-based research , planning, and implementing different strategies to address healthcare affordability. I am the senior manager of our health economics and policy program area, under our Health Research and Insights Division at Altarum. 728 What is the CHES Survey, and what are its findings? CHES survey stands for the Consumer Healthcare Experience State Survey. In 2018, when we started CHES, because we've kind of felt like the healthcare system could be a lot like playing chess. It's difficult to navigate. The CHES survey asks about respondents' experiences with the healthcare system. Not only their experience in navigating it, their confidence in being able to navigate it, what they have experienced in terms of affordability burden, have they had to make trade-offs in terms of trading off food or housing or basic necessities in order to pay for a medical service or medical procedure or a test or their medications, whether or not they're worried about affording medical services both now and in the future. We ask about their levels of trust and respect in the system, and how they feel they've been treated in the healthcare system. 10:24 CHES Survey was presented at a Tennessee Justice Center webinar 11:17 How often do Tennesseans ration their medications? 13:38 Health care affordability concerns for individuals with disabilities? 16:13 When people with insurance choose to forgo care because of high deductibles and copays. 17:41 How should research like the CHES survey be utilized by parent advocates and healthcare providers that support this community?  22:23 Next Steps? The  CHES survey has been conducted in 36 unique states in the US to form a national database. Findings need to be aggregated to benchmark individual state performance.

In this episode, I chat with Shana Watkins from the Tennessee Justice Center about their upcoming HealthCare Afforability Summit, which will be taking place in: Knoxville on June 10, 2026 Nashville on June 17, 2026 Memphis on June 24, 2026 Timeline of the Conversation 01:30 What is the Tennessee Justice Center (TJC)? 03:00 What's in a name? Tenncare is Medicaid! 07:00  Harms of H.R.1 (Big Beautiful Bill) on Healthcare, specifically Medicaid, and implications for Tennesseans. 08:28  The “Unwelcome Mat” Effect 11:00 TJC - Anti-Hunger Program - “Fight for Summer EBT” 17:30 Advocacy in Action- Regional HealthCare Summits June 2026 22:36 We need to hear about your healthcare experiences in Tennessee. 24:20 Radical Inclusion - We need your voice, we need everyone's voice!