Isaac WrightEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

Data centers are showing up in rural counties across the country, and not everyone is happy about it. Isaac Wright, a strategist who's spent two decades working rural campaigns, joins Heidi and Joel to talk about why that is, what tariffs have cost farmers selling to Brazil and China, and why he sees real opportunity for Democrats in Iowa and Ohio in the midterms. Isaac explains why rural voters respond to authenticity and local trust over national talking points, and what Rob Sand's win in Iowa says about how to build that trust. He also gets into AI regulation, and what it would look like for policy to actually reflect the values Democrats say they hold. In this episode: Why Iowa and Ohio look like real opportunities this cycle Data centers: local jobs versus strain on water and power What tariffs on Brazil and China have cost farmers Building trust and likability in rural races What it actually means to "localize" a campaign Connect with Isaac Wright: LinkedIn Isaac makes a clear case for what it takes to win back rural voters, one county at a time. The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org , or find us on Substack ( Onecountryproject.substack.com ), and on YouTube , Bluesky , and Facebook (@onecountryproject). (00:00) - - Introduction (02:14) - - Isaac Wright's background in rural strategy (04:01) - - Midterm outlook: gains and voter disillusionment (06:04) - - Key races in Iowa and Ohio (09:23) - - Values and local issues in rural campaigns (15:07) - - Trust and likability in rural elections (18:09) - - Data centers: opportunities and community concerns (26:39) - - Messaging on tariffs and trade (34:05) - - Short-term realignment and national politics (39:16) - - Closing thoughts: the long-term opportunity for Democrats

Veteran political strategist Paul Begala joins the Hot Dish to discuss how the Democratic Party can reconnect with rural Americans. He offers straightforward actions each of us can take to respond to the challenges of chaos in Washington and State Capitals and to help our neighbors get past the misinformation and propaganda to see the truth about the dangerous impacts of the Donald Trump / Elon Musk administration on rural and small-town values. But first, Joel speaks with Isaac Wright, founder of the Rural Voter Institute, about Democrats' communication challenges and the need to speak about values like personal faith. This episode is packed with political strategies, insights into rural issues, and suggestions on how to make political messaging that resonates with middle America. Listen for a deeper understanding of our country's current political dynamics and practical suggestions for making an impact. Join hosts Joel and Heidi Heitkamp on The Hot Dish every other week to learn about the economic and cultural issues pertinent to rural constituents and the importance of effective messaging. The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org. (01:28) - Isaac Wright and Joel on the challenges Democrats face in rural America (04:32) - Improving the message on guns (Democrats aren't going to take them all) (07:54) - The risks to Farmers posed by the Trump/Musk Administration (11:07) - Democrats need to talk about Faith (15:12) - The new DNC chair Ken Martin (17:52) - Heidi speaks with veteran political strategist Paul Begala (19:22) - Donald Trump is betraying rural Americans (26:15) - Paul Begala's recommendations for what you should do (34:21) - Paul Begala's mantra is "Gas, Groceries, and Rent"