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For the first time in a long time, I woke up after an election feeling something I haven’t felt in years: genuine hope. And I’m not talking about the kind of hope politicians throw around during campaign season. I’m talking about the kind of hope that brings tears to your eyes because you finally feel like all the hard work, all the conversations, all the frustrations, and all the times people refused to give up actually meant something. On this episode of The Sage Against The Machine Podcast, Dr. Bob Leonard and I sat down to talk about what happened Tuesday, what it means for Iowa, and where we go from here. First, I want to give credit where it’s deserved. The people of Iowa showed up. Volunteers knocked doors, made phone calls, organized events, had difficult conversations, and kept going even when things looked impossible. This wasn’t the work of one candidate or one political party leader. It was thousands of people across this state deciding they weren’t going to sit on the sidelines anymore. I will never forget walking into the Iowa Historical Society Building in Des Moines on election night. There was a feeling in that room that I can’t fully explain. I saw people who had spent years fighting, losing, getting knocked down, and getting back up again. People who had every reason to be discouraged but kept showing up anyway. And then the results started coming in. Iowa made history. We elected Rob Sand as governor, flipped 11 seats in the Iowa House, broke the Republican supermajority, and helped deliver major victories across the country. Josh Turek, Christina Bohannan, Sarah Trone Garriott, Lindsay James, and so many others are heading into new chapters of public service. But I also want to recognize the people who didn’t win. Chris Jones, Ryan Peterman, Leila Staton, Rachel Burns, and so many other candidates put their hearts into these campaigns. Losing an election doesn’t erase the work they did or the impact they had. Chris Jones helped make water quality a major conversation in Iowa politics. Ryan Peterman showed what it means to dedicate yourself to public service. Their work matters, and I hope they keep fighting. One of the biggest conversations Dr. Bob and I had was about how we got here. I believe a big part of the answer is that people were finally willing to have conversations outside their own political bubbles. During my 99-county tour, I met Republicans, Democrats, and independents who all had something in common: they wanted somebody to fight for them. They wanted their government to work. They wanted someone who would listen instead of lecture them. That’s something I believe Democrats need to continue doing. We cannot build a bigger movement by shutting people out. We cannot expect everyone to agree on every issue. And we certainly cannot afford to let disagreements within our own party become more important than the people we’re supposed to represent. Progressives, moderates, independents, and even Republicans who are ready for something different all have a place in this conversation. We don’t have to agree on everything to work toward making people’s lives better. As Dr. Bob and I discussed, listening matters. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is shut up, put your opinions aside, and hear what somebody else is telling you. That’s how you build relationships, earn trust, and actually accomplish something. But winning an election is only the beginning. Now comes the hard part: delivering. If we said we were going to fight for working people, then let’s fight for working people. Let’s work to lower costs, raise wages, protect public education, improve healthcare, and address the water quality crisis that continues to affect Iowa. Let’s get a farm bill passed that actually supports our farmers and rural communities. And let’s not forget accountability. We can hold people responsible for the decisions they’ve made while also focusing on moving our state and country forward. Those two things aren’t mutually exclusive. I believe Iowa has an opportunity right now to show the rest of the country what responsible leadership looks like. Rob Sand and our newly elected leaders have a chance to bring people together, work across differences, and prove that government can actually work for the people it represents. And we need to hold them to that. I don’t care what political party somebody belongs to. If you’re elected to represent Iowans, you work for Iowans. Period. As we wrapped up the episode, I told Dr. Bob something I genuinely believe: I haven’t had this much hope for America in about 10 years. I’m proud of what people across this state accomplished, and I’m proud of everyone who played a part in it. So, take a moment and enjoy this. Celebrate the victories. Hug the people who worked alongside you. Appreciate the volunteers who gave up their evenings and weekends. Remember the people who kept going when nobody thought we could win. We have spent a long time fighting just to get to this point. We deserve a moment to appreciate it. But make no mistake, we’re not done. There are still families struggling to pay their bills. There are still farmers fighting to keep their operations going. There are still communities dealing with failing infrastructure, poor water quality, and a healthcare system that isn’t working for everyone. Those people are why we do this. I’m going to keep asking questions, keep having conversations, and keep fighting for the people who don’t always have somebody in their corner. Because this was never supposed to be about me, a campaign, or a political party. It was always supposed to be about people. Iowa showed up. America showed up. And now it’s our responsibility to make sure that vote meant something. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us. And I couldn’t be more excited to get started. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

I’m not going to lie to you. I’m exhausted, I’m frustrated, and I’m scared about what happens next. But I’m not giving up. On today’s episode of The Sage Against The Machine Podcast, Dr. Bob Leonard and I discussed the consequences of the Trump administration’s policies, the obscene amount of money flooding Iowa’s elections, and why we cannot afford to sit this election out. We started with Dr. Bob’s latest article, “Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and the Banality of Evil,” which examines the consequences of cuts to USAID and the politicians who supported them. Dr. Bob argues that when policy decisions contribute to preventable deaths, we cannot shrug our shoulders and call it another political disagreement. We also discussed cuts to programs like SNAP and Medicaid and how those decisions affect families here at home. I made my feelings clear: We live in the richest country in the world, yet working families are struggling to afford groceries, gas, and healthcare. Meanwhile, we keep finding money for things that hurt people instead of helping them. We also talked about why getting outside our own communities, meeting people who are different from us, and challenging our own beliefs are essential to building a better country. Fear and division are easy to exploit. Understanding each other takes work. We then turned to the flood of political advertising hitting Iowa. Outside spending in the U.S. Senate race has surpassed $137 million, while spending in the governor’s race has reportedly reached $81 million. Dr. Bob calculated that the Senate race’s outside spending alone amounts to roughly $42 per Iowan. Think about that. Millions are being poured into attack ads, mailers, and television commercials while people are sick of the constant bombardment. I’ve experienced firsthand how difficult it is for an ordinary person to compete in politics without access to wealthy donors and unlimited outside spending. We discussed the need for campaign finance reform and overturning Citizens United. Democracy should not be a competition where the person with the biggest bank account gets the loudest voice. We also discussed the Iran war, which reached its eight-month mark yesterday. The figures discussed on the show put the cost to American taxpayers at approximately $47.1 billion, excluding some additional costs associated with damage to U.S. military installations. After serving in the Marine Corps and the Army, I know war is about more than a number on a spreadsheet. It’s about families, service members living with physical and psychological wounds, and people dealing with consequences long after the headlines disappear. We were promised an end to endless wars and a focus on affordability. Yet here we are, spending billions while working families struggle to make ends meet. Americans deserve transparency, accountability, and answers about why this war continues and what we’re actually accomplishing. But the most important part of this episode came when we talked about what happens next. Over the past year and a half, I’ve knocked doors, made phone calls, traveled across Iowa, and brought candidates onto this podcast to explain what they want to do for the people they represent. Dr. Bob has continued writing and shining a light on the issues that matter. We’ve talked with candidates from communities across Iowa who have put their lives on hold because they believe their neighbors deserve better. And now, all that work comes down to Election Day. I got emotional talking about it because this isn’t a political game to me. I’ve watched my family go through difficult times. I’ve lost sleep over this. I’ve seen people work themselves to exhaustion because they believe their communities deserve a fighting chance. And knowing there are people considering staying home makes this even harder. Dr. Bob said something that stuck with me: After decades of elections, he has never felt as strongly that our country’s future is at stake as he does now. We talked about protecting our freedoms, our democracy, and our ability to live together without being forced to think or believe the same way. I share those concerns. But I also believe we have power. Billionaires can spend millions trying to influence us, but they cannot cast our ballots for us. That decision belongs to you. Look at the candidates. Look at their records and how they’ve voted. Ask yourself whether they’re fighting for working people or protecting wealthy donors and powerful corporations. And remember, candidates aren’t saviors. They’re steps in a direction. We need people willing to listen, show up, and answer to the people they represent. Once they’re elected, we must hold them accountable, too. I’m not going to pretend I know exactly what will happen on Election Day. But I know doing nothing gives away our opportunity to make a difference. Please get out and vote. Take a friend. Bring your family. Talk to your neighbors. We’ve put in too much work, and too many people have sacrificed too much, to walk away now. Nothing gets better unless we work to make it better. And right now, we have an opportunity to do exactly that. We’ll see you on the other side of Election Day. Until then, keep asking questions, keep talking to people, and keep showing up. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

From public schools and rural health care to Donald Trump’s visit to Iowa and the fight for working-class voters, the latest episode of Sage Against The Machine tackles the issues that will shape our state’s future. On the latest episode of The Sage Against The Machine Podcast, we sat down with Jacob Welper, Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 59, to talk about what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs to change in Iowa. Welper is a former rural public school teacher and an 11-year member of the Iowa Army National Guard. He’s running against Republican incumbent Christian Hermanson with a focus on public education, rural health care, affordability, and giving young Iowans a reason to stay. We talked about the need to properly support public schools, including making sure kids have access to breakfast and lunch. We discussed the challenges facing rural health care, protecting family farms and property rights, and giving farmers the right to repair the equipment they depend on. We also got into concerns about carbon dioxide pipelines, data centers, and an economy that too often seems to work better for big corporations than the people doing the work. The common thread was simple: Iowa can’t keep talking about supporting rural communities while making it harder for families to build a future here. But this episode wasn’t just about one legislative race. Dr. Bob and I also got into Donald Trump’s visit to Iowa, the political theater surrounding it, and the questions voters should be asking as Election Day approaches. We discussed the state of Iowa’s races, the importance of the debates, and how candidates are trying to convince voters they understand what people are actually dealing with. Because while politicians make speeches and campaign ads promise the world, working families are still dealing with the cost of groceries, health care, housing, and everything else it takes to get by. That’s what I want to hear candidates talk about. Not just party talking points. Not just who can score the biggest political hit. What are they going to do to make life better for the people they represent? With Election Day getting closer, Iowans have important decisions to make at every level of government. Those choices deserve more than slogans and partisan noise. So get informed. Ask questions. Pay attention to the candidates and the issues. And make sure your voice is heard. At the end of the day, this isn’t about politicians. It’s about the people who live here, work here, raise their families here, and deserve a government that gives a damn about them. That’s why we keep having these conversations on The Sage Against The Machine Podcast. Politics. Iowa. Working people. No b******t. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

There’s a lot of crap happening in Iowa politics right now, and the people paying the price aren’t the politicians sitting in Des Moines. They’re the working people trying to pay their bills, put food on the table, and figure out how to get ahead when everything keeps getting more expensive. On the latest episode of The Sage Against The Machine Podcast, I sat down with State Representative Adam Zabner, a Democrat representing Iowa House District 90, alongside Dr. Bob Leonard. We discussed Iowa’s budget deficit, public education, corporate tax breaks, the proposed steel mill, and the growing disconnect between politicians and the people they’re supposed to represent. One thing became clear: Too many decisions coming out of the Capitol seem to benefit corporations and wealthy interests while everyday Iowans are left picking up the tab. Schools are struggling while wealthy interests get tax breaks We started with Iowa’s public schools, which are facing challenges as the state deals with a budget deficit of roughly $1.3 billion. Adam explained why he opposed Iowa’s private school voucher program, arguing that it directs public money toward families who already had children in private schools while public schools face cuts and rural communities deal with consolidation. In small Iowa towns, schools are more than classrooms. They support local jobs, bring families into communities, and help keep towns alive. When a school closes, the consequences go far beyond education. Adam also criticized Iowa’s tax policies, arguing that wealthy taxpayers benefit disproportionately from tax cuts while working families see little relief. He said eliminating the voucher program and legalizing and taxing marijuana could help address the budget shortfall, but properly funding public schools requires a broader discussion about Iowa’s tax system. We also discussed Amendment 1, a proposed constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds majority in the Legislature to increase corporate or individual income taxes. Adam warned that restricting the state’s ability to raise revenue could make future budget problems worse and put more pressure on working families. The question is simple: Who benefits from these policies, and who gets stuck paying the bill? The steel mill: We need jobs, but taxpayers deserve protection We need manufacturing jobs in Iowa. Communities that have lost factories and good-paying work deserve real economic opportunities. Adam said he supports the proposed southeastern Iowa steel mill but voted against legislation authorizing $1.3 billion in state tax credits because he believes taxpayers need stronger protections. He raised concerns about the company’s progress toward purchasing land and obtaining permits, as well as the possibility that tax credits could be sold to another party. Under the legislation as Adam described it, Iowa could remain obligated to honor those credits even if the project failed to deliver the promised jobs. That’s a hell of a risk for taxpayers already facing a budget shortfall. Adam pointed to manufacturing struggles across Iowa, including the closure of the Case backhoe plant in Burlington and layoffs affecting workers at other companies. These are real people whose livelihoods are on the line. We need investment, but we also need accountability. If a corporation wants more than a billion dollars in public support, Iowans deserve transparency, enforceable protections, and a clear plan for what happens if promises fall apart. A good deal should benefit Iowa, not leave taxpayers holding the bag. Stop fighting culture wars while families struggle One of the biggest themes of our conversation was the disconnect between politicians’ priorities and the problems people actually face. Adam described hearing from people worried about housing costs, rising rent, and paying their bills while lawmakers spend time fighting culture-war battles. We discussed bipartisan housing legislation Adam helped advance that was signed by the Republican governor. We also talked about a free school lunch proposal that, according to Adam, had broad support in the Iowa House but never received a hearing. Dr. Bob made an important point: Calling this an affordability crisis doesn’t fully capture what families are experiencing. When people can’t afford healthcare, children go hungry, and parents struggle with unpaid bills, the consequences affect their health, relationships, and entire households. When politicians dismiss these struggles, they’re dismissing the people they were elected to serve. We need leaders focused on making people’s lives better, not picking political fights while working families fend for themselves. Accountability matters on every level We also discussed reporting by Iowa journalists Laura Belin, Tyler Jett, and Zachary Oren Smith concerning Derek Wulf, the Republican lieutenant governor candidate running alongside Zach Lahn. Their reporting has raised questions about Wulf’s reported debts and financial arrangements. Adam questioned the circumstances surrounding a reported bridge loan and the involvement of an Illinois limited liability company. These are issues voters deserve clear answers about, particularly when financial arrangements could raise questions about potential conflicts of interest. We also discussed the attorney general’s race between Democrat Nate Willems and Republican Brenna Bird. Adam argued that Iowa needs an attorney general who will fight wage theft, protect workers and natural resources, and hold powerful interests accountable. These races matter because elected officials make decisions affecting healthcare, education, workers, and how taxpayer money is spent. Every legislative seat matters, too, especially when it comes to whether bills receive hearings and public spending gets scrutinized. This election is about working people Toward the end of the episode, I talked about a community conversation with Josh Turek and something more politicians need to hear: Stop talking and start listening. Listen to understand, not simply to prepare your next response. Adam described knocking doors and talking with Iowans across the state. Whether in Iowa City, the Des Moines suburbs, or small towns, he said people are concerned about rising costs, housing, and making ends meet. Those conversations matter. Politicians can’t understand people’s lives if they never take the time to hear about them, and representatives shouldn’t wait until election season to show up. As Election Day approaches, we need to look beyond the biggest races and pay attention to the candidates who will make decisions about our schools, taxes, healthcare, and future. Voting is one of the most direct ways to hold elected officials accountable. Close elections can come down to just a handful of votes, so don’t assume yours won’t matter. Iowa’s working families deserve a government that takes their struggles seriously, invests in their future, and protects their tax dollars. They deserve leaders who focus on real problems instead of culture-war distractions and blank checks for corporations. We can’t expect different results if we keep doing the same thing and hope someone else fixes the problem. Show up. Speak out. Vote. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

On the latest episode of The Sage Against The Machine Podcast, Dr. Bob Leonard and I sat down with India May, Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 58. We talked rural healthcare, broken trust in government, her Republican opponent, and the political ads that remind us just how disconnected some politicians have become from the people they represent. India and I first met at a Joni Ernst town hall in Parkersburg. India, a registered nurse who has worked in geriatrics, pediatrics, home health, and mental health, spoke up about what healthcare cuts mean for real people. When she raised concerns that people could die because they can’t afford care, Ernst reportedly responded, “We’re all going to die.” That exchange stuck with me. India has seen preventable deaths and people rationing medication because they can’t afford it. She currently works multiple part-time jobs and says she doesn’t have health insurance herself. This isn’t some abstract political debate. It’s what happens when healthcare becomes too expensive for the people who need it most. India is running because she wants to speak for people who can’t take time off work to attend a town hall. She’s knocked on more than 6,000 doors and says she keeps hearing the same thing: people have lost trust in government. She refuses PAC money and relies on donations from everyday Iowans, even knowing that means she’ll likely be outspent. Her message is simple: she intends to tell the truth and fight for the people who are usually ignored. We also discussed rural Iowa’s struggles, including cuts to public health services, home healthcare, staffing shortages in schools, support for children with disabilities, and water quality. India talked about a reported 25% budget reduction affecting home health services in Chickasaw County. When it comes to clean water, her argument makes sense: why wait until water is contaminated and then spend money filtering it when we should be preventing the pollution in the first place? Dr. Bob also raised concerns about Republican incumbent Charley Thomson, including his request for information from Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice. India discussed Thomson’s real estate development, its failed timeline for a state tax incentive, bankruptcy, legal dispute with the state, and unpaid property taxes. Those are serious issues, and voters deserve clear answers about their representative’s conduct and financial dealings. Then we turned to the political ads. Ashley Hinson is asking Iowans for “a little gas money for our bus” so she can show up at the polls. Are you kidding me? Working people are already getting squeezed at the gas pump, at the grocery store, and everywhere else. The last thing they need is a politician asking them to chip in for campaign fuel while they’re trying to afford their own lives. Hinson’s “Food Fight” ad was just as out of touch. It shows kids throwing food to represent political fighting and calls for people to work together. Meanwhile, families are struggling to put food on the table, and some parents are working two or three jobs to keep their households afloat. Maybe the food used in that ad could have gone to a food bank instead. Dr. Bob and I agreed the whole thing sends the wrong message. We also discussed Zach Lahn’s attack ad against Rob Sand, including claims about taxes and Sand’s wealth, along with Brenna Bird’s “Give them the bird” campaign. Political advertising is getting louder, nastier, and more ridiculous, but none of that changes what Iowans actually care about: healthcare, affordable living, good schools, clean water, and a fair shot at making ends meet. Dr. Bob shared a story about Sarah Trone Garriott holding a Social Security roundtable where people could explain their concerns and feel heard. That’s what representation should look like: listening to people instead of treating them like props in a campaign ad. With the midterm election approaching, we have a choice. We can keep accepting politics as usual, or we can demand better from the people asking for our votes. India May is out knocking doors, having those conversations, and making her case to voters in District 58. I appreciate India joining us and talking honestly about what she’s seeing across rural Iowa. We need more candidates willing to get out from behind the talking points and listen to the people who are actually living with the consequences of political decisions. The election is coming fast. Get informed, ask questions, and vote. And if you’re tired of politicians forgetting who they work for, keep asking questions, keep talking to people, and keep showing up. That’s what we do here. Politics. Iowa. Working people. No b******t. Listen to the full episode of The Sage Against The Machine Podcast, and like, share, and subscribe so more Iowans can join the conversation. We’ll be back Thursday with Representative Adam Zabner. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

Politics. Iowa. Working people. No b******t. That’s what we’re about on The Sage Against the Machine Podcast, and our conversation with Leila Staton, the 22-year-old Democrat challenging Republican incumbent Josh Meggers in Iowa House District 54, was exactly the kind of conversation I want people to hear. I’ve known Leila and her mother, Heather, since my Senate campaign. Leila has kept asking tough questions, and now she’s taking that fight directly to voters. She told us she’s knocked approximately 6,400 doors, working toward a goal of 10,000 before Election Day. That’s real campaigning: getting out into communities and listening to the people politicians are supposed to represent. The issues voters are raising are familiar: public schools, clean water, and the rising cost of living. Leila wants to increase public school funding, arguing that schools can’t keep doing more with less while private school vouchers drain resources from public education. She also criticized her opponent for helping kill a bill requiring buffer strips along rivers and streams. Iowa’s water quality problems aren’t going away, and clean water shouldn’t be a partisan issue. We also discussed campaign finance reform and the influence of political action committees. Leila opposes taking corporate PAC money and believes grassroots candidates deserve a fair shot against campaigns backed by big donors. I agree. Working people deserve representatives who answer to voters, not wealthy interests. Property taxes and corporate tax breaks were also part of the conversation. When the state fails to adequately fund schools and essential services, local taxpayers often get stuck with the bill. Meanwhile, massive corporations receive incentives for projects like data centers without communities always knowing the full environmental and economic consequences. Iowa workers and families deserve a fair deal, not another promise that the benefits will eventually trickle down. Mental health care was another major concern. Leila discussed the shortage of treatment options and how those gaps affect vulnerable Iowans. These are real problems facing real families, and they deserve more than politicians offering excuses. What stood out most to me was Leila’s passion. She’s frustrated watching friends leave Iowa because they can’t find good jobs or afford to build a life here. She believes many of our problems are preventable, and she’s not interested in pretending everything is fine just to make powerful people comfortable. When we asked why voters should elect her, Leila said she wants to make life more affordable, keep hospitals open, and make sure people are heard. She’s willing to speak up and challenge the status quo. I’m tired of politicians who sound great in advertisements but disappear when working people need them. We can’t keep kicking these problems down the road. With Election Day approaching, Leila’s campaign is continuing to knock doors and organize volunteers. Visit LeilaForIowa.com to learn more, volunteer, or donate. You can also find her campaign on social media under Leila for Iowa. I can’t predict how this race will turn out. That’s up to the voters. But I respect a candidate willing to challenge powerful interests and fight for the people she wants to represent. That’s what The Sage Against the Machine Podcast is about: asking questions, talking to people, and showing up. Iowa belongs to the people who live and work here, not just the corporations and wealthy interests trying to squeeze every last dollar out of us. It’s time our politics started acting like it. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

Today’s episode of the Sage Against The Machine Podcast covered two things Iowa desperately needs: accountability from those in power and leaders willing to fight for working people. Dr. Bob Leonard and I spoke with Benjamin Larson, Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 19, and Joey Norris, the Red Oak man found not guilty in a felony election misconduct case. We also discussed Dr. Bob’s experiences at recent events featuring Ro Khanna and Josh Turek. Our conversation with Joey Norris was a reminder of how badly things can go wrong when politics gets mixed up with the justice system. Joey was involved in counting absentee ballots during the 2024 election. After disagreements over procedures, the situation escalated into a felony prosecution. Joey maintained that he was trying to follow the rules, and a jury ultimately found him not guilty. But as Joey explained, winning his case doesn’t mean the problem is solved. He believes Iowa’s election misconduct law is too vague and could discourage people from volunteering as precinct election officials. Think about that: We need people willing to step up and help run our elections, but they shouldn’t have to worry that asking questions or making a mistake could land them in court. We need clear rules, proper training, and accountability, not political theater. We also spoke with Benjamin Larson, a registered nurse and former paramedic running for Iowa House District 19. Larson discussed Iowa’s cancer crisis, water quality, agricultural practices, and the importance of protecting access to healthcare. He shared how his personal experience losing his father to cancer helped shape his career in medicine and his decision to run for office. Healthcare affordability was another major issue. Too many working people put off doctor visits because they’re worried about the bill. Larson argued for greater price transparency, stronger protections for patients, and policies that put people ahead of corporate profits. We also discussed the loss of local maternity services and the danger of cuts to programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Healthcare isn’t a luxury. It’s essential, and communities shouldn’t have to watch their services disappear. Larson also raised important questions about data centers moving into Iowa. These facilities can bring investment, but they also demand water and electricity. What do local communities actually get in return? Larson wants companies to build meaningful partnerships with schools and colleges, creating opportunities for students to learn the technology behind these operations. Iowa should welcome innovation, but corporations shouldn’t get all the benefits while local residents absorb the costs. We wrapped up with Dr. Bob sharing his experiences at three events featuring Ro Khanna and Josh Turek. He described the conversations as encouraging, with discussions about holding billionaires accountable, protecting Social Security, improving education, and building a better future. We also discussed calls for Representative Ashley Hinson to support a new discharge petition related to the Epstein files, along with the broader need for transparency and accountability from elected officials. Finally, we talked about reports that Republican-aligned super PACs were shifting money away from Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ race and toward other contests, including races involving Zach Nunn and Joe Mitchell. Dr. Bob suggested the move could signal concern about Miller-Meeks’ chances. Whatever the motivation, it shows how national political money can shape Iowa’s elections, and raises questions about where political priorities really lie. The common thread in all these conversations is simple: Who is looking out for ordinary Iowans? We need election workers who can serve without fear, healthcare that people can afford, economic development that benefits our communities, and elected officials who answer to voters rather than wealthy donors. That’s what we’re trying to do here at Sage Against The Machine: ask tough questions, have honest conversations, and focus on the issues that actually matter to working people. Watch or listen to today’s episode, and if you believe these conversations matter, share it, subscribe, and help us spread the word. Politics. Iowa. Working people. No b******t. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

Winning elections starts with listening to working people, understanding what they’re dealing with, and offering real solutions. That was the focus of our latest episode of The Sage Against the Machine Podcast, featuring Jennifer Kirkman, Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 99, and Iowa House Minority Leader Representative Brian Meyer. Kirkman is a lifelong Iowan, attorney, small business owner, and mother who decided to step up because she believes Iowa families deserve better. She told us that affordability is the biggest issue she hears about at the doors. Groceries, gas, utilities, property taxes, and wages are putting pressure on families who are already doing everything they can to get by. Her priorities include strengthening public education, improving access to health care, developing the workforce, and creating opportunities that allow people to build their lives right here in Iowa. Those aren’t abstract political talking points. They’re the issues that determine whether working families can afford to stay in their communities and build a future. District 99 matters because Democrats have an opportunity to compete for another seat in the Iowa House and push back against Republican control. Meyer joined us to discuss why this race is important and what it will take to support candidates who understand the challenges facing everyday Iowans. If Democrats want to change the direction of Iowa, they have to win competitive districts like this one. We also discussed the proposed $15 billion steel plant in Lee County. The project could bring jobs and economic opportunity, but Iowans deserve answers about local hiring, union jobs, tax incentives, housing, water quality, and accountability. A massive price tag and promises of jobs shouldn’t mean taxpayers have to stop asking questions. If this project is going to benefit Iowa, working people and local communities need to see those benefits. We wrapped up by discussing the recent debates between Rob Sand and Zach Lahn, and Josh Turek and Ashley Hinson. From questions about transparency and experience to comments about millennials and saving money, these debates showed why voters need to look beyond campaign slogans. People struggling to pay bills don’t need lectures from politicians. They need leaders who understand the reality of living paycheck to paycheck. Here’s the bottom line: Jennifer Kirkman’s race is one of the contests that could help determine Iowa’s future. If we want an Iowa government that takes affordability seriously, protects public education, and stands up for working families, we need to compete everywhere and win the districts that can make a difference. Listen to the full conversation on The Sage Against the Machine Podcast. Keep asking questions, keep talking to people, and keep showing up. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

This episode of Sage Against the Machine covered two things that I think are at the heart of what this podcast is about: whether government is actually working for working people, and whether the jobs being promised to Iowa workers are actually going to be good jobs. We started with Tony Thompson, a fourth-generation Iowa farmer, small-business owner, data professional and Democratic candidate for Iowa Senate District 23. Tony talked about something I think a lot of Iowans can relate to: spending years believing government was the problem, only to start asking a different question, who is government actually working for? For Tony, the biggest issue is affordability. Housing, healthcare, utilities, transportation, education and the basic cost of raising a family are all putting pressure on working people. His message was pretty simple: before politicians start arguing about whether government should be bigger or smaller, maybe we should ask whether it’s actually delivering the outcomes people need. Tony also talked about something that drives me nuts about politics, making decisions without talking to the people who are actually going to live with them. His answer was basically, get the right people in the room. Patients, workers, farmers, experts and regular Iowans shouldn’t be an afterthought after the lobbyists and politicians have already made up their minds. And with the election just a few weeks away, Tony is taking that message directly to voters. He’s inviting supporters to join him for his birthday celebration and a rally for his campaign three weeks before Election Day. The event will include food and live music from Abbie Sawyer. Donations are optional, but the campaign is asking people to RSVP so they can plan for food. RSVP for Tony’s event . Then we got into the big story dominating southeast Iowa: the proposed $15 billion Mesabi Metallics steel project in Lee County. Charlie Wishman, president of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, joined us to talk about what this project could mean for Iowa workers. The potential numbers are massive, thousands of construction jobs and roughly 1,750 permanent jobs, but Charlie made an important distinction: there’s a difference between jobs and good jobs. That’s where the fight over union labor comes in. Charlie wants a Project Labor Agreement and a neutrality agreement that would give workers a real opportunity to organize. His argument is straightforward: if taxpayers are potentially putting more than a billion dollars into incentives for this project, Iowa workers should get something substantial in return. And I agree with that. I’m excited about the possibility of bringing major manufacturing back to southeast Iowa. But I’m not interested in celebrating a $15 billion announcement simply because the number looks good on a press release. We need to know where the money is coming from, whether the project actually gets built, how the workforce will be supplied, and most importantly, whether the people doing the work will be able to build a decent life from those jobs. Charlie also made a bigger point that goes beyond this one steel plant: America needs an actual manufacturing and infrastructure strategy. We can’t keep making one-off deals and hoping they somehow turn into a national economic plan. And, of course, we had to talk politics, including the Senate Leadership Fund’s attack ad against Josh Turek. As a Marine Corps veteran, I couldn’t get past one thing: the ad couldn’t even pronounce Marine Corps correctly. That’s not a minor detail when you’re trying to use veterans as political props. At the end of the day, that’s what this episode was about. Cut through the talking points. Ask questions. Talk to the people who will actually be affected. And don’t let politicians convince you that a big number automatically means a good deal. Whether we’re talking about taxes, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing or a $15 billion steel mill, working people deserve better than political slogans. They deserve results. And that’s why we keep asking questions, keep talking to people and keep showing up. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

Today’s episode of The Sage Against The Machine Podcast was a little different. Instead of interviewing candidates, Dr. Bob and I were joined by Zachary Oren Smith from Iowa Starting Line and Liz from Iowa for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of the races across Iowa as we head toward Election Day. We started with the proposed $15 billion steel plant in southeast Iowa. A project of that size could mean thousands of construction jobs and potentially thousands of permanent jobs, which could be a huge opportunity for the region. But as we talked about, Iowans have heard big promises before. The real question is whether those promises turn into actual jobs and investment, and whether Iowa gets enough in return for whatever incentives taxpayers provide. From there, we got into the governor’s race between Rob Sand and Zach Lahn, including Sand’s approach of traveling around the state and talking with people who don’t necessarily agree with him. We also discussed the U.S. Senate race between Josh Turek and Ashley Hinson, where issues like healthcare, affordability, the economy and Iowa’s involvement in the war in Iran are becoming major parts of the conversation. We didn’t stop at the top of the ticket. We talked about congressional races involving candidates like Lindsay James, Joe Mitchell, Christina Bohannan, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Sarah Trone Garriott and Zach Nunn, along with several statewide races for attorney general, secretary of state, auditor and secretary of agriculture. The point was simple: there are a hell of a lot of important races on the ballot, and voters shouldn’t just focus on the names they see on television every night. But the biggest part of the conversation was about working people. The cost of groceries, housing, healthcare and everyday life continues to put pressure on families across Iowa. That’s what I keep coming back to. Politics isn’t just about campaign ads, polling numbers or who wins an argument on social media. It’s about whether people can afford to live in the communities they call home. Liz, Zach and Dr. Bob each brought a different perspective to the conversation, but there was plenty of common ground when it came to the importance of getting people involved, telling Iowa’s stories and actually paying attention to what happens in our communities. We’re about a month away from Election Day, and sitting this one out isn’t going to fix anything. If you’re pissed off about the direction of Iowa, get involved. Ask questions. Talk to your neighbors. Learn about the candidates. And most importantly, show up and vote. That’s what this episode was really about. Not telling people what to think, but getting people to start thinking, talking and paying attention. We’ve got work to do. And we’re going to keep doing it. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

Today on Sage Against the Machine, I went solo with Dr. Bob Leonard out, but we still had two important conversations with candidates running for offices that directly affect Iowans. First up was Heather Jones-Brown, Democratic candidate for Polk County Supervisor District 4. Heather talked about listening to residents, improving transportation, expanding access to mental-health resources and making sure rural communities aren’t forgotten. Her point was simple: local government should actually listen to the people it serves. Issues like transportation and mental health aren’t abstract political talking points when you’re trying to get to work, afford basic needs or find help when you need it. Then I sat down with Ryan Peterman, Democratic candidate for Iowa Secretary of State. Ryan and I talked about his military background, his experience serving in the Navy and why he believes the Secretary of State should put the Constitution, Iowa voters and fair election administration ahead of party politics. We also discussed the pressures election officials can face and why the person overseeing Iowa’s elections needs to be prepared to stand up for the integrity of the process. These are two very different races, but they have something in common: the decisions made in these offices affect regular people. A county supervisor can influence transportation, mental-health services and other local programs. The Secretary of State plays a major role in how Iowa’s elections are administered. That’s why working-class Iowans can’t afford to ignore races just because they’re not at the top of the ballot. Know the candidates. Ask questions. Look at their positions and records. And when Election Day comes, show up. Because if we don’t pay attention to who is making these decisions, somebody else will make them for us. Keep asking questions, keep talking to people and keep showing up. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Sage Against The Machine Podcast, Dr. Bob and I did something a little different. No guest. No formal interview. Just the two of us talking about the things that are pissing us off, the things we’re worried about, and, for once, some of the stuff that makes us who we are. We started with something every working person understands: the cost of everything. Coffee is now costing me damn near twice what it used to, and according to the Iowa Farm Bureau’s latest report, food prices continue to climb. That matters heading into Thanksgiving and the holidays, especially for families already struggling to put food on the table. We also talked about Ashley Hinson and her sudden call to end the Iran war after previously voting to continue U.S. involvement. For me, this comes down to something pretty simple: if you know something is hurting the people you represent, you should fight for them when it matters, not wait until the political winds change. Dr. Bob had a pretty simple response to politicians suddenly talking about gas and diesel prices after voting in support of the Iran War: “Too f*****g late.” We also got into polling, Trump’s lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and J. Ann Selzer, Social Security, and the growing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence. AI can absolutely be a useful tool, but when we’re moving this fast without proper safeguards, I think we have every right to ask some serious questions about where this is headed. Then we changed gears. Since we didn’t have a guest, Dr. Bob and I spent some time answering questions about ourselves, our favorite music, movies, food, books, dream jobs, vacations, guilty pleasures and the people we’d want to sit down with. You find out Dr. Bob is a Pink Floyd guy, while I’m obviously a Tool guy. We talked about The Great Gig in the Sky, “No Quarter,” Liar Liar, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, green chile enchiladas, my mom’s “white boy enchiladas,” and why neither of us has much use for black licorice. But we also got a little more personal. Dr. Bob shared a lesson his dad taught him about doing your work right, even when nobody else will ever see the mistake. I talked about lessons I learned in the military and why those experiences still stick with me today. That’s really what this episode was about. Politics matters. The issues we talk about matter. But behind all of it are real people with families, stories, music they love, things they’ve been through and things they’re still trying to figure out. We’re just two guys trying to make sense of a pretty damn crazy world while continuing to speak truth to power. And we’re going to keep doing it. The next episode is already coming, and October is right around the corner. The election will be here before we know it. Until then, keep asking questions, keep talking to people and keep showing up. And, as always, catch us on the flippity flip. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Sage Against The Machine Podcast, Dr. Bob Leonard and I sat down with Brett Mohler, Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 26 in southern Iowa. Brett is an engineer who has lived in the district for more than two decades and the creator of the Iowa Ledger, a project designed to make campaign-finance information and legislative voting records easier for regular people to understand. What stood out to me most was how Brett talked about actually talking to people. Brett grew up Republican and said his political outlook changed over time. But instead of turning every conversation into another partisan argument, he talked about finding common ground and listening to people about what’s actually happening in their lives. He’s knocked doors where people initially wanted to argue politics, only to end up inviting him inside for long conversations. One line Brett used really stuck with me: It’s not about the culture war. It’s about the war at the kitchen table. That’s where we spent a lot of our conversation. Healthcare access. Struggling rural communities. Water quality. Schools. The cost of groceries, gas and healthcare. These aren’t abstract political issues. They’re the things people are dealing with every damn day. We also talked about the Iowa Ledger and why making campaign-finance and voting information easier for regular people to find matters. Who is donating? Where is the money coming from? How are lawmakers voting? Voters deserve to know. After Brett left, Dr. Bob and I kept the conversation going. We got into fuel prices and what the conflict involving Iran could mean for Iowa, especially with harvest season approaching. Higher fuel costs don’t just affect farmers, they ripple through the entire economy. We talked about the Derek Wolf situation, journalism and the importance of reporters being willing to ask uncomfortable questions. We also talked about politics, accountability and the absolute circus that sometimes comes with covering Iowa politics. And then we ended on something I don’t talk about enough: hope. More than 300 candidates qualified for Iowa’s 2026 primary elections. Think about that. Hundreds of people decided to step forward. They’re knocking doors, going to meetings, talking to voters and trying to make a difference. That’s something worth being hopeful about. But hope isn’t enough. We still have to do the work. Keep talking. Keep knocking doors. Keep asking questions. Keep showing up. That’s what The Sage Against The Machine Podcast is about, honest conversations about Iowa, politics and the issues that actually matter to working people. Sometimes those conversations are angry. Sometimes they’re funny. And sometimes they remind you that there are still plenty of people who give a damn. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

This week on The Sage Against the Machine Podcast, Dr. Bob Leonard and I sat down with Sinikka and Spencer Waugh, a husband-and-wife team from Indianola running for the Iowa Legislature. Sinikka is running for Iowa Senate District 11. Spencer is running for Iowa House District 21. They’re running separate campaigns, but at the end of the day, they go home to the same house, so naturally, we had to find out what the hell it’s like to run two political campaigns under one roof. But the real story was why they’re running. Sinikka talked about her experience as a small-business owner and mother and her desire to make Iowa more affordable, protect clean water, strengthen healthcare and make sure young people have opportunities to build a life here. She also raised concerns about corporations and outside interests having too much influence over Iowa politics. Spencer, a longtime educator, said the conversations he’s having while knocking doors keep coming back to the same issues: healthcare, mental healthcare and clean water. He’s been running since 2024 and said people are still telling him they’re hurting. We also got into campaign finance, education and Iowa’s growing data-center industry. Spencer has not taken corporate PAC money this campaign cycle, instead relying on small-dollar contributions from people in his community. Sinikka called for a pause on new data-center development until Iowa has a statewide plan addressing water, energy, farmland and the impact on local communities. And, of course, we had some fun with the husband-and-wife campaign team. Who brings politics home? Both. Who wants to stop talking politics first? Spencer. Who is more likely to knock on one more door? Sinikka. That’s politics the way I like to see it: regular people stepping up, talking to their neighbors and trying to make their communities better. Sinikka and Spencer are doing exactly that, and I appreciate them both for putting themselves out there and fighting for Iowa. We didn’t stop there. We also dug into the national headlines making news, and I took a little time to rant about Ashley Hinson’s latest campaign ad, because apparently we’re supposed to believe she’s all about working across the aisle. Yeah… I had a few thoughts about that one. We covered the headlines, the b******t, and everything in between. Go listen to the full episode. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

On today’s episode of The Sage Against The Machine Podcast, Dr. Bob and I sat down with Zach Mecham, Democratic candidate for Iowa Senate District 19. Zach has spent years advocating at the Iowa Capitol, particularly for people with disabilities. Eventually, he got tired of watching politicians ignore people and decided it was time to step up himself. We talked about the issues he’s hearing at the doors: education, healthcare and water quality. We also got into nursing home accountability, campaign finance, marijuana legalization and how Iowa can bring in more revenue. But the part that stuck with me most came at the end. When I asked Zach why voters should support him, he called himself a “success story of Iowa.” He got the education and support he needed, built a career and a business, bought a home and built a life for himself. Now he wants to make sure the next kid coming up has that same opportunity. That’s what this should be about. Can we build an Iowa where every kid, no matter where they come from, has a real shot at making something of themselves? That’s the conversation we had with Zach Mecham. No b******t. Just Iowa, politics and the issues that actually matter to working people. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe