
Hosted by Andy Beshear · EN

It's a Texas-sized episode. People have been writing off Texas for 30 years, but 2026 may be really different. Our guests today are two people who refuse to believe the naysayers about Texas. Gina Hinojosa is a state representative who left the state in 2025 to fight a corrupt redistricting map, and is now running for governor. And Isaiah Martin is a 26-year-old from Houston who built a movement online, was arrested for fighting against the Republican's redistricting efforts, and shows up online and on the air to take on the other side. These leaders represent something important: A Democratic Party that shows up, speaks plainly, and competes everywhere. That's the kind of party we believe in. And we think after this conversation, you will too. Plus, a special behind-the-scenes look at the people who make the Andy Beshear Podcast happen every week. Let's hop in. Merch store 👉 store.andybeshearpodcast.com/ Pre-order “Go and Do Likewise” 👉 static.macmillan.com/static/smp/go-and-do-likewise-9781250452719/ Follow us for behind-the-scenes and bonus content: Instagram: instagram.com/andybeshearpodcast/?hl=en Twitter: x.com/andybeshearpod Facebook: facebook.com/andybeshearpodcast/ Threads: threads.com/@andybeshearpodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week's episode is all Andy. And SiriusXM co-host John Fugelsang! Every week on this podcast, Gov. Andy Beshear sits down with the people shaping American politics; governors, advocates, creators and leaders on the front lines of the fights that matter. But this week, the guest is you. Listeners from across the country called in with the questions they've been carrying – about healthcare, about the economy, about what Democrats need to do differently, and about what drives Andy Beshear to keep going. Andy answered every one of them with the same candor and kindness that has made him one of the most talked-about voices in the Democratic Party. Listen now. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There are episodes that inform. There are episodes that inspire. And then there are episodes that do both at once. This is one of those episodes. This week on the Andy Beshear Podcast, Andy sits down with two of the most important voices in Democratic politics today. These two leaders show that regardless of your background, we can all stand united in delivering on the things that matter to our people. First, Gov. Roy Cooper. The two-term Governor of North Carolina who won – twice – in a state Donald Trump carried both times. A four-term Attorney General who took on big banks, drug companies, and predatory lenders and put billions of dollars back in the hands of everyday people. A pragmatic, people-first Democrat who expanded Medicaid to more than 650,000 North Carolinians and helped make his state one of the fastest-growing and most business-friendly in the country. Gov. Cooper joins Andy to talk about governing in a divided state, what Democrats need to do differently to win back voters, and where he sees the party going from here. Then, Carlos Eduardo Espina. At just 27 years old, the Houston-based content creator has built one of the most powerful platforms in Democratic politics with over 22 million followers, all reached through content created entirely in Spanish. The son of immigrants from Uruguay and Mexico, Espina has become the creator that potential 2028 presidential candidates are actively seeking out, hoping to earn a place in front of an audience he has spent years building with authenticity and purpose. Carlos joins Andy to talk about influence, identity, and what Latino voters actually want from Democratic leaders. Two guests. One shared belief that Democrats can – and must – do better. New episode out now. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, or tune in Saturday at 11 AM on the SiriusXM Progress Channel. Merch store 👉 store.andybeshearpodcast.com/ Pre-order “Go and Do Likewise” 👉 static.macmillan.com/static/smp/go-and-do-likewise-9781250452719/ Follow us for behind-the-scenes and bonus content: Instagram: instagram.com/andybeshearpodcast/?hl=en Twitter: x.com/andybeshearpod Facebook: facebook.com/andybeshearpodcast/ Threads: threads.com/@andybeshearpodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's Derby week and the Andy Beshear Podcast is celebrating in style. 🌹 Every year, on the first Saturday in May, the world stops. The roses come out. The hats go on. And for two minutes, Churchill Downs becomes the center of the universe. On this episode, Andy sits down with three extraordinary guests who know what it means to compete at the highest level of their craft. An owner, a trainer and jockey who will talk about the greatest two minutes in sports through their eyes. Jayson Werth, World Series champion, postseason legend, and now passionate thoroughbred horse owner, joins Andy to talk baseball, horses, and life after the big leagues. Brad Cox, Louisville native and one of the premier horse trainers in America, with two Horses of the Year to his name breaks down what it takes to build a championship operation right here in his hometown. And John Velazquez, four-time Kentucky Derby winner, Hall of Famer, and one of the greatest jockeys to ever live takes us inside the race that stops the world every first Saturday in May. Three remarkable people. One legendary race. Brand-new episode out now. Merch store 👉 store.andybeshearpodcast.com/ Pre-order “Go and Do Likewise” 👉 static.macmillan.com/static/smp/go-and-do-likewise-9781250452719/ Follow us for behind-the-scenes and bonus content: Instagram: instagram.com/andybeshearpodcast/?hl=en Twitter: x.com/andybeshearpod Facebook: facebook.com/andybeshearpodcast/ Threads: threads.com/@andybeshearpodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's a packed week at the Andy Beshear Podcast. We're breaking down the latest on the Iran war, including escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and what Trump's next move might mean for the region. We're also digging into the mysterious deaths and disappearances of nuclear and space-linked scientists. Plus, Andy reflects on his recent trip to Michigan, his appearance at a Democratic Party fundraiser alongside Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and a behind-the-scenes look at his speech at the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund in DC this weekend where he was presented the organization's Allyship Award for standing firm on his values of compassion, empathy and doing what's right. During this week's In My Kentucky Accent, Andy talks about the relief he's seen safe, medical cannabis provide for veterans, cancer patients and people struggling with opioid addiction. And then there's our conversation with W. Earl Brown. He grew up in Mayfield, Kentucky. He went on to become one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood. With casting in Deadwood, True Blood, There's Something About Mary, he's built a career that has spanned decades on the biggest stages in the world. But at his core? He's still a Kentucky kid. W. Earl Brown joins us for a conversation about craft, characters, and coming home, and we promise you – it's one you won't forget. We're also teasing next week's really exciting Kentucky Derby episode, so stay tuned. Merch store 👉 store.andybeshearpodcast.com/ Pre-order “Go and Do Likewise” 👉 static.macmillan.com/static/smp/go-and-do-likewise-9781250452719/ Follow us for behind-the-scenes and bonus content: Instagram: instagram.com/andybeshearpodcast/?hl=en Twitter: x.com/andybeshearpod Facebook: facebook.com/andybeshearpodcast/ Threads: threads.com/@andybeshearpodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andy sits down with Steve Schmidt for a conversation that is as urgent as it is unflinching. Steve Schmidt is one of the most consequential figures in modern American politics. He ran John McCain's presidential campaign, architected Arnold Schwarzenegger's come-from-behind re-election, served as a top strategist in the Bush White House, and co-founded the Lincoln Project — the most politically effective Super PAC of the 2020 election cycle. He was the first person on American television to predict that Donald Trump could win in 2015 and he accurately predicted the political violence of January 6th more than three months before it happened. Today, Steve is the founder of The Warning and co-founder of the Save America Movement, a national organizing effort operating across all 50 states with more than 250,000 grassroots donors behind it. In this conversation, Andy and Steve get into the state of American democracy, the Iran war and what it means for the Trump administration's political future, SAM's Villains campaign and the strategy behind holding bad actors accountable by name, Operation Liberty and what SAM has documented at ICE detention centers across the country, and what Steve believes this moment, as painful and frightening as it is, ultimately means for the future of the country. Steve Schmidt doesn't do spin. He doesn't do comfortable. And this conversation is no exception. Then Andy and the Jo(h)ns recap the news of the week. From Artemis II to the Pope vs. Donald Trump online, it was a big week in American politics. Plus, a litte behind-the-scenes as Andy talks about his recent appearance with Rev. Al Sharpton and a quick trip down to Atlanta for the Carter-Lewis Dinner where Andy delivered a message to Georgia Democrats: it's time to get the dirt on our boots and get to work. Merch store 👉 store.andybeshearpodcast.com/ Pre-order “Go and Do Likewise” 👉 static.macmillan.com/static/smp/go-and-do-likewise-9781250452719/ Follow us for behind-the-scenes and bonus content: Instagram: instagram.com/andybeshearpodcast/?hl=en Twitter: x.com/andybeshearpod Facebook: facebook.com/andybeshearpodcast/ Threads: threads.com/@andybeshearpodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kentucky has always had a way of finding people who are undeniably, authentically themselves and this week's guests are proof of that. In this episode, Andy sits down with two Kentuckians who have taken their talent and grit and turned them into something extraordinary. RaeShanda Lias is one of the most dynamic voices online and you may recognize her catchphrase "Let's check the board." She's an influencer, entrepreneur and storyteller who has spent her career sharing what matters to her most. RaeShanda joins Andy for a conversation about her incredible journey, what it means to talk about poltiics online today, ignoring the comments and the responsibility that comes with having a microphone and a platform in a divided world. Plus, Andy gets a little free fashion advice. 👔 Then, JD Shelburne stops by to talk about a life built on music, persistence, and Kentucky pride. Growing up in Taylorsville, Kentucky, JD didn't pick up a guitar until college but once he did, there was no looking back. More than 3,000 shows later, a Grand Ole Opry debut, his own bourbon in over 60 stores across the commonwealth, and a cover of the Kentucky Tourism Official Visitors Guide, JD has become one of the most beloved independent voices in country music and a great ambassador for Kentucky – and our bourbon. 🤝 Two remarkable people. Two incredible stories. One great conversation. Because at the end of the day, that's what this podcast is about – the people who make America the place it is. Merch store 👉 store.andybeshearpodcast.com/ Pre-order “Go and Do Likewise” 👉 static.macmillan.com/static/smp/go-and-do-likewise-9781250452719/ Follow us for behind-the-scenes and bonus content: Instagram: instagram.com/andybeshearpodcast/?hl=en Twitter: x.com/andybeshearpod Facebook: facebook.com/andybeshearpodcast/ Threads: threads.com/@andybeshearpodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Andy sits down with the host of The David Pakman Show to talk about what it takes to stay grounded in the truth when the truth feels harder than ever to find. They dig into the current political moment, the state of American media, the rise of independent journalism, and why an informed public is one of the most powerful forces in a democracy. It's an honest conversation about politics, press, and the responsibility we all share; as citizens, as leaders, and as people who still believe this country is worth fighting for. Next up, Andy and the Jo(h)ns break down the biggest stories of the week: First, the Iran War. What started as airstrikes has become something far more complicated. The Pentagon is now preparing for weeks of potential ground operations, Iran is warning against any U.S. ground invasion, and regional diplomats are scrambling in a race to find an off-ramp before the conflict escalates further. Meanwhile, back home, the economic consequences are already being felt. And after a month of war, the GOP's political reality is beginning to sink in, with no clean exit strategy and no easy answers. Then, the No Kings Protests: the biggest nationwide demonstrations in recent memory. Organizers say more than 8 million people turned out across all 50 states to rally against the Trump administration, from small towns to major cities. Airports, TSA & the SAVE Act: A saga that just won't end. A record number of TSA employees called out sick last Friday, and even after Trump's directive to pay them, officers are still calling out. Making things more complicated: the Border Czar suggested ICE may not leave airports even once TSA workers are back on the payroll. All of this is tangled up with the SAVE Act, the voter ID legislation Trump has made a condition of any deal, which mean long drives and major hurdles for millions of American voters trying to register. It was a... revealing week for the Republican Party. Trump skipped CPAC for the first time in a decade, and his absence spoke volumes. The Iran war cast a shadow over the entire conference with MAGA anxiety on full display and Steve Bannon warning from the stage that the war is just getting started and that American sons and daughters could end up on Kharg Island. And amidst all of it, observers couldn't help but notice: CPAC itself seems to be shrinking. In good news, Andy announces it was Kentucky's best first quarter ever for new investment. It's a sign that the work being done to grow the Kentucky economy continues to pay off, even in the middle of national uncertainty. Plus, a Daily Show shoutout and maybe even a challenge, to Kentucky's own, Desi Lydic – recent friend of the pod. Let's get going. Merch store 👉 store.andybeshearpodcast.com/ Pre-order “Go and Do Likewise” 👉 static.macmillan.com/static/smp/go-and-do-likewise-9781250452719/ Follow us for behind-the-scenes and bonus content: Instagram: instagram.com/andybeshearpodcast/?hl=en Twitter: x.com/andybeshearpod Facebook: facebook.com/andybeshearpodcast/ Threads: threads.com/@andybeshearpodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we're heading west – to the Rocky Mountains, to be specific – because Colorado is one of the most fascinating political stories of our Primed for 2026 series. Gov. Jared Polis is term-limited and can't run again, which means for the first time in eight years, Colorado Democrats get to decide who their next leader is going to be. In a state where Republicans haven't won a governor's race since Bill Owens was reelected back in 2002, whoever wins that Democratic primary is almost certainly going to be the next governor. So the stakes? They're high. Two candidates have emerged as the clear frontrunners: U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser. These are two serious, accomplished Democrats – and they've been going at it. They've been trading barbs at candidate forums, in fundraising emails, and on social media, each making the case that they're the one who can best fight for Colorado families and stand up to Washington. In this week's Statement of the Case, Tyler Hack of the Christopher Street Project shares with Andy how it feels as a trans young person to go up against the full force of the Trump administration. Andy says it best: All children are children of God and nobody likes a bully. And finally, Andy is back with John to talk his recent visit to JD Vance's hometown, Trump's cruel tweets and the latest on March Madness. Plus, an open invite to Wan'Dale Robinson to join the pod! Let's get started. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

He grew up conservative in Grand Junction, Colorado. He did his own research. And somewhere along the way, he became one of the most compelling young voices in American politics. This week, Governor Andy Beshear sits down with Dean Withers, the Gen Z content creator, debate champion, and civic advocate who went from viral Jubilee appearances to millions of followers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, to the stage at the Aspen Ideas Festival. Dean brings sharp wit and nuance to some of the toughest conversations in America: racial justice, climate policy, voting rights, and education reform. And he does it in a media landscape that almost always rewards the loudest voice in the room over the most thoughtful one. Governor Beshear and Dean dig into his journey, how a kid from a conservative town changed his mind through his own research, what it was like to have the people around him react to that change, and how he ended up debating Ben Shapiro and Charlie Kirk in front of millions before most people his age had figured out their first apartment. They talk about social media; the good, the bad, and the algorithm that rewards outrage over substance — and how Dean navigates that tension every single day while still trying to move the needle. They talk about what Gen Z actually wants from politics and whether this generation feels heard by the institutions that are supposed to serve them. And they get into the harder questions: whether Dean sees himself eventually running for office, his favorite way to escape and his not-so-secret talent. Young people are telling us the one word they feel when they turn on the news is exhausted. Dean Withers has built his entire career inside that exhaustion – and somehow found a way to stay hopeful anyway. This conversation is about how. Merch store 👉 store.andybeshearpodcast.com/ Pre-order Go and Do Likewise 👉 static.macmillan.com/static/smp/go-and-do-likewise-9781250452719/ Follow us for behind-the-scenes and bonus content: Instagram: instagram.com/andybeshearpodcast/?hl=en Twitter: x.com/andybeshearpod Facebook:.facebook.com/andybeshearpodcast/ Threads: threads.com/@andybeshearpodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.