Eunice and Heather wrap up the Midpod and share conversations with one of their favorite listeners, Krishan Patel in California and one of their favorite candidates, newly elected Congresswoman elect, Haley Stevens from Michigan's 11th Congressional District.

Last November we traveled to Alabama to cover the race between Doug Jones and Roy Moore for U.S. Senate. We were fortunate to spend time in Birmingham with the architect of the Jones campaign: Giles Perkins, who passed away in early December. A civic leader who operated at the intersection of business, politics and community development, Perkins shared a wealth of insight and historical context with us, along with some great recommendations for dining and travel in Alabama.

There wasn’t much coverage, but this Fall Congress actually stepped up and passed a $6 billion, bipartisan bill to help communities fight the opiod epidemic. Senator Hassan (D-NH) tells us about new law and how it came together. 

Newly elected members of congress have been attending King's orientation program at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government for over two decades. King tells us what new members need to learn to hit the ground running, and provides some sharp insights into this historically large, diverse and ambitious class. 

Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Emily Cherniack have been recruiting service veterans to run for office, and Moulton is seeking to oust Democratic leadership to make way for younger lawmakers.

Hunter describes how decades of research and activism contributed to historic gains at the ballot box for women this year.

Morris' model for the house was spot on. We get his takeaways, and discuss a winning strategy for taking voter turnout to the next level. Hint: grab an apron & a long fork.

This Virginia-based political scientist has a model for the House based on 'negative partisanship,' and she sees a blue wave.

Farmers here know the trade war with China first hand. Tribes know the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women first hand.  We speak to both, and have a long overdue conversation on abortion.

A "recovering politician" and former member of Congress, Nye heads the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress. He thinks elected officials will perform better if we fix the system in which they operate